Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Music

The Hunger… Cloak EP Review + Stream

For the past few years, I have been captivated by the occult rock-inspired end of the modern metal world. The Devilโ€™s Blood kicked it off with their Satanic psychedelia and the beautiful banshee wailing of lead vocalist Farida Lemouchi. Next up was In Solitudeโ€™s final album and masterpiece, Sister, a goth-tinged take on the genre that was a wild departure for the band, which sadly could not be capitalized upon. Top that off with a little Witchcraft and some Tribulation, and itโ€™s a wonder I donโ€™t walk around with a sulphur symbol branded into my forehead.

Lately, Iโ€™ve been yearning for something in this same realm, but heavier. A band that is not just occult rock, but occult rock and roll, and hasnโ€™t astral projected away from its metal roots. A band with anger and scowls mixed with magik and majesty.

That band is Cloak, and their EP is one of the best debuts of any band in recent memory.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Cloak is borne from the same cauldron that spawned a great many occult metal acts. Instead of hopping on Jeffersonโ€™s airplane or trying to hug Nosferatu, though, Cloak went down an alley on the left hand path that is filled with fog, fights, and feral beings.

 

Label: Boris Records

The A-side of this two-song seven inch, โ€œIn the Darkness, The Path,โ€ starts with organ and a rising, swelling version of the main guitar line. Itโ€™s almost an occult rock clichรฉ at this point, but Cloak turns it on its head when they drop into the song in full force. Their riffs are full of nasty chords and thick low-end. Their transitions snap and land on the One with authority. Theyโ€™re also not afraid to use double bass and tremolo riffing, which they do with precision and a vengeance.

The music is enough to convey the menace that sets them apart from their peers, but what puts it over the top are the vocals. Guitarist and singer Scott Taysom has a scathing, throaty roar that gives the band an ugliness and wrath that are nowhere to be found amongst bands of their ilk. This guy could sing for Craft, should that nuclear warhead that Mikael Nox has been screaming for suddenly lands on his house.

On the flip, โ€œThe Hungerโ€ stays in the occult rock realm in terms of riffs and rhythms, but the atmosphere and grit stays intact. That this song is a little restrained drives home the songwriting skills Cloak possesses. The songs themselves are a journey, eschewing verse/chorus/verse for flowing, organic arrangements. There are hooks and melodies, and though the arrangements arenโ€™t standard, the band never comes close to having to rein themselves in. It seems theyโ€™re getting out of the way and letting the songs write themselves, which is admirable quality to have so early in their career.

 

cloaka3180966133_10

 

If this seven inch is any indication, these guys have a long, fruitful career ahead of them. It is readily apparent that this band is already fully-formed; theyโ€™ve found their sound and identity and they know how to present it. Fans, promoters and labels can see that from a mile away.

It seems the band can, too, because they’re not resting on their laurels. Word has it that Cloak are currently wrapping up the writing of their first album and will be headed into the studio this fall. Until then, grab yourself a copy of this record and get in on the ground floor. Youโ€™ll thank yourself. Trust me.

 

 

 

 

Written By

Ryan Dunn is a freelance journalist residing in Detroit, MI. Contact him at [email protected].

โ€œCHEPANG
FRAP 52925
Sentient 51625
โ€œBMM"

You May Also Like

Ambient Rap

BOLDY JAMES & RICHGAINS are a match made in heaven for me. Their record Indiana Jones was one my favorites of 2023, and this...

Fanzines

As someone’s who’s fascinated by the occult, witchcraft, and everything on the other side of the veil, HELLEBORE ZINE looks like it will be...

Hip-Hop

There’s something magical about FearDorian’s music. He’s taking rap in and dosing it with DMT so it has a life-changing epiphany and lets go...

Hardcore

If you haven’t heard PLAYYTIME‘s new Deadman Tapes EP then you need to hear it now. What do you call music that crushingly heavy,...

Copyright ยฉ 2025 CVLT Nation.