HIKE THE PEAK: THE GREAT UNKNOWN EP REVIEW

Sheffield, England Skate Punk artist Hike The Peak has returned after the Elements Album drop in May, featuring an amalgamation of the previous five part Elemental EP series (you can read our review of WATER here). For those of you not initiated to Lee and his music, he invites vocalists to

antoxleyphoto

feature on his tracks so every single song he has released has a completely different feel and sound. This unique process had led to Lee collaborating with musicians from across the planet, and has continued throughout The Great Unknown, not being an exception to the rule. Boasting five featuring artists over three songs we have a lot to cover, so without further ado, let's jump right into In The Shadow Of A Doubt featuring Scott of Disaster Forecast and Blagged. Is this real? I’ve got a point left to prove, I’m doubting myself less than you. Is this real? ashore scratching the surface away, I’ll make a new start, it’s happening today. I don't know what I was expecting coming into The Great Unknown but it definitely wasn't the EP opening with forty-three seconds of whilling out mayhem and chaos in the form of In The

Shadow Of A Doubt. With ferocious vocals screaming about self worth, resilience and pride over the top of frantic drums and upbeat guitars, the tonne for the whole EP is set and we are off with a blast. I’ve got a heart, and I’ve got a plan, And I’ve got the foresight to know that I can, Achieve a lot when my head isn’t buried in sand and I grasp at this life till there’s blood in my hands. I’ll see it through, Cos I feel brand new, I’m doubting myself less than you.

Stepping out into the great unknown again, Leaving comfort and safety behind, Wondering if I have something left to give, Is the risk of failure worth the ride? Only time will tell. Next up we have Prone To Wander featuring Greg of Splitcast on vocals. Greg has a beautifully rich (and eerily similar) tone that I would hold akin to Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides. He has the kind of voice that calls you to attention and keeps you there as he sings about stepping into unknown territory as a young man and continuing the grind in the hope that it will be worth it, be worth it,

despite the reassurance of rest and security as an older man. There are points where Greg allows wistful longing into his vocals, pushing the narrative further. Musically Prone To Wander begins with a youthful bouncy energy that subtly shifts throughout the track giving the impression of running out of sand in the hourglass. There is a point around the middle of the track that I found particularly beautiful and poignant. The music hops back to the lightness of the beginning, as if in reminiscence of easier times before it switches back to a fast passed and frantic beat, that holds pressure in a profound way I wasn't expecting. Having a dream and feeling like you don't have enough time in your life to achieve it is a common feeling and this track approaches that feeling in such an open way, it had me sit back in my chair to think about everything I have achieved and everything I wish to achieve before my spirit parts ways with my body. I am now an older man with so little time, Focused on the road ahead but still prone to wander, Melodies inside my head keep me up at night, They lied when they said, I’d sleep when I’m older.

Far too often my courage just slips away, And with it the principles that used to anchor me, The more I grow, the less I feel alive. This world wears me down, poisons me and keeps me tired, I long for that insatiable desire for justice that once defined me - back when I was filled with hope, I’ll never comprehend why people choose to hate, rather than love, soothe, at least communicate. Last but not least we have Crucial Years featuring Pascal of No Guidance and Flo of For Heads Down. Crucial Years was probably the hardest song for me to get into the flow for, with conversational lyrics not having a recognizable pattern. However, after listening to the track several times I found the rhythm and I was good to go. The track speaks on a disconnect from society as life on this planet seems more bleak by the day; waking up every day to headlines that spout

division, war and famine. Crucial Years ends on a call for community and a hand to reach out when someone has fallen and needs to be picked back up. There is one line in particular that I connected with to my core, "And I’m not lying when I say I wouldn’t be here anymore without the music and our scene," as I feel the exact same way. I speak very openly about the power of alternative music and the fact that I would not be here writing today if it wasn't for bands like Linkin Park, Bring Me The Horizon and Good Charlotte. It is people like Pascal who are writing these songs who spur people on and let them know that you are not alone when times get tough. If you need help or someone to talk to, Lifeline is available 24 hours either to call on 13 11 14 or via text on 0477 13 11 14. Musically Crucial Years feels, for want of a better word, foggy; as if you are walking in a dark, cold and fog ridden forest trying to find the way out with no clear direction to safety. In the final third the music shifts to something with hope for better days and

support laying under the surface; the ray of sunshine pointing you in the

right direction to freedom and salvation. We’ll never comprehend why

people choose to hate rather than to love, soothe, at least communicate,

Rather than to love, Or at least communicate, Rather than to love, Or at

least communicate.

My final thoughts on The Great Unknown: In true fashion, Lee has pulled together a collective of cross-continental musicians who really get it and are willing to talk about the tough topics while presenting them in their own unique perspective. The artistry behind the Hike The Peak project will continue to draw me back to them, as I am consistently finding the songs released to be thought provoking and relevant to issues that will stick in any Punks heart.

You can find Hike The Peak on: Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Facebook and Instagram

For Fans Of: Deadheat, Twenty Paces Apart, Easy Out and One Of Us

8.5/10