The passion project of Ice Nine Kills' Ricky Armellino, the current iteration of metalcore unit HAWK first established it's footing in the landscape as This Or the Apocalypse. Since their 2005 formation the Lancaster, PA collective - though pursuing their own individual efforts as musicians and creatives - have all continued to stoke the flame at the heart of fire that first sparked nearly two decades ago.
Shifting gears and changing the band's name in 2018, HAWK has sparsely issued music since then, working to keep the engine running while working on other projects and tours. Before the world collectively hit pause in 2020, HAWK delivered their Tolerance's Paradox EP which featured guest assists from Spencer Charnas and Dayseeker's Rory Rodriguez. Though the band's momentum would face a serious roadblock with the stall of the pandemic, the creative drive in the DNA of the band never went away.
Picking up the pace late last year, HAWK debuted a pair of potent singles with "Justify" and "Break Bread" serving as strong indicators of the band's resurgence and refocus. Armellino's knack for lean and mean metalcore asserted a special kind of songwriting that ensures the music and melody stick - as was the case with the band's return.
For the latest offering, HAWK managed to bridge the warm melodic hue of metalcore with the kind of brawn that leans DJent on the single, "Disclosure". Tapping Nick Thompson of Hit the Lights, the track is a fiery show of force - one that asserts HAWK is back and never really went too far away.
Speaking to the metaphysical themes explored on the track, the band explain the kind of urgency that drives the pace of the song. “What emotion even explains how weird the world seems when you compare it to itself a decade ago? If the sheer grimdark of it all is too hard to approach, one unlikely but fun reality to imagine is one where the simulation is outgrew its processors, its breaking down, and it’s time to call out to see if there’s anyone beyond the 4th wall who can fix it.”
Working with accomplished director Tom Flynn (Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage), Armellino's personal exploration of the interdimensional and his recent stay at the Monroe Institute in Faber, VA to study, ultimately inspired the higher consciousness concept at the core of the new song and music video.
“We wanted to make a performance video that utilized practical effects and a little bit of our love of sci-fi to try and make some contact. No one picked up.”
The latest entry from HAWK signals the start of a new era for the band. In addition to the new music, the band is gearing up for a fall tour supporting Future Palace and Half Me. A list of dates and cities can be found below.
HAWK Tour Dates w/ Future Palace
9/25 Baltimore, MD
9/26 Pittsburgh, PA
9/27 Chicago, IL
9/28 Detroit, MI
09/30 Toronto, ON
10/01 Montreal, QC
10/02 Worcester, MA
10/03 Philadelphia, PA
10/04 Brooklyn, NY
