Review HOAXED “Death Knocks”

“Death Knocks” is the second album by Hoaxed. The band released their debut album in 2022. The trio named their debut album ‘Two Shadows’ and with their second release, they take the next step.

Hoaxed is Kat Keo and Kim Coffel, who have teamed up with April Dimmick. This trio has recorded a pretty interesting album with “Death Knocks”. To be honest, I missed the band’s debut album. Therefore, I was really curious to see what “Death Knocks” would be like. What comes out of the speakers after pressing the ‘Start’ button is exciting.

Hoaxed play dark rock. With April Dimmick on board, the band’s sound has a slightly more metallic feel, but the gloomy vibes remain throughout. “Where the Sea Falls Silent” is the opening track of this nine-track album. The song creates a melancholic and sombre mood. With a hypnotically repeated main theme, it is the crystal-clear vocals that create a stunning contrast.

Next is the throbbing “Kill Switch” which brings you to the wistful “Promised to Me”. This song picks up the melancholic vibe from the opener and creates an occult atmosphere, before battle sounds introduce “The Fallen”.
The cello intensifies the occult and gloomy mood. C.E. Brown makes a guest appearance on “Looking Glass” which is more of an interlude. “Dead Ringer” comes next, and is a dark pinnacle of the album. “Wretched” is one of the faster songs on the release, though it doesn’t alter the underlying mood of “Death Knocks”. It is a heavy moment, though, with roaring guitars providing a counterpoint to the clean, fragile vocals. Hoaxed has created a special field of tension that works.

“Death Knocks” is an intriguing album, where the occult meets post-punk, rock and metal. This blend provides a captivating thrill. Hoaxed is a band worth following.