Freedom Hawk - Holding On



Wh-what's this I'm hearing? No...it can't be. Has the new recording from Black Sabbath already been leaked?

Oh, wait...this is Freedom Hawk's new album from Small Stone Records. Now I remember - and I love everything about it. I think these guys are dope and they have to be one of the best early-Sabbath-sounding rock bands out there right now, other than the newly-reunited legends, of course. I mean, just play these songs I've included from Freedom Hawk's, Holding On, and I'm pretty sure you'll agree.

First, there's vocalist/guitarist T.R. Morton , whose voice can sound exactly like a young and lively, hand-clapping Ozzy, only more powerful. There hasn't been one other rock singer I can remember who sounds so much like Ozzy to me. He's so spot-on and I think I'm listening the Prince of Darkness himself. Really. And that's not a bad thing at all, at least for me. It doesn't hurt that the riffs flow effortlessly from his fingers, either.

Matt Cave completes Freedom Hawk's twin-guitar assault and, along with his brother, Mark Cave (bass), and Lenny Hines (drums), the members produce such thick, rich, 70's-inspired rock music that you just have to hear it. And own it.

The songs, "Edge of Destiny" (link below) and "Nomad", are two of my favorites and they're prime examples of the strong, solid Sabbath aura that Freedom Hawk invokes throughout Holding On. "Zelda" is a short instrumental near the middle of the 13-track album which reminds me of "Planet Caravan". Bongo drums are the only things missing, if you ask me. "Flat Tire" is another gem, but hell, I think they all are. Believe me, I could go on and on.

From their bio: "Hailing from a beach town in Virginia, this quartet blends heavy riffs, a rolling groove, and soulful guitar melodies to produce the sound that is Freedom Hawk. Their brand of rock coupled with a high energy live show, leaves many wondering if they’ve stepped through a time warp, which has taken them to rock’s heyday in the 70’s."

I didn't listen to 70's hard rock until the 80's, when I was a young teenager. Like many others, I started with bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, the earliest Judas Priest and....Sabbath. If you're like me and you can't wait until the Black Sabbath reunion album, then Freedom Hawk are just the band to tide you over. Once you listen to Holding On, though, they'll probably become one of your current favorite bands like they did for me.

--Heddbuzz

http://www.freedomhawkband.com/

http://www.reverbnation.com/freedomhawk



Comments

scott mccall said…
Absolutely CRANKIN !!
saw them live in wilmington, nc a couple weeks ago and they BRING IT!!
already have my order in to Small Stone for this one!!
heddbuzz said…
Nice, Scott! You won't be disappointed! Believe that!
Nuclear_Dog said…
I love it when Freedom Hawk gets positive publicity for their music, and their newest album has garnered a fair amount. For anyone who has listened only to the new one, though, it pales in comparison to their first two. Don't get me wrong, please. I love Freedom Hawk and I love their music, but for me the new one has about half the crank of the first two. The self titled album alone stands on the pantheon of truly great rock albums, just sitting there waiting for the world to discover it. I'm hoping that the success of "Holding On" leads millions of rock fans to the earlier stuff, and I also hope that the fierceness and joy of those first two albums makes a comeback when they create a fourth.
heddbuzz said…
That's exactly what it did for me. I knew nothing about this band until the new album, which immediately made me want to search out their earlier stuff. I'm so happy I did.