HARK have sadly announced the breaking-up of their band. Mastermind Jimbob Isaac explains the reasons behind this decision, which will be mourned by many fans of powerful, hard-hitting rock music:
“HARK 2010 – 2017
After seven years of hard work, commitment, sweat and toil, and of course some irreplaceably great times together – we’re glad to share with you thatHARK has now come to it’s logical and final conclusion. While we’re immensely proud of ‘Machinations’ and everything that we’ve achieved since it’s release this year, we collectively feel that this is the furthest point that we can take this band. From releasing the ‘Mythopoeia’ 7″ along with our first show at Morrowfest in 2012, through to touring with CLUTCH and shortly after releasing ‘Crystalline’ in 2014, and throughout all subsequent tours and lineup changes, it’s fair to say that each member has been lucky enough to take everything that they wanted from being in this band. While we respect any outsider or fan/supporter who might question this decision, let’s just say that being in a band isn’t always the easiest of endeavours. External, personal situations, interpersonal dynamics and personalities, fatigue on/off the road, maintaining relationships and family commitments, weaving in and out of the pitfalls of the music industry, all the while maintaining creative flow, and personal happiness…it’s certainly no picnic. HARK was formed with two main reasons, to investigate creating music with new and different people, and to simply tour more. We absolutely achieved all of the above, and are extremely proud of all our achievements. Ending this now will preserve our friendships and our modest legacy with little to no collateral damage. We’d like to thank every good soul and friend that we’ve come across on this journey. Thank you so much to all of our co-conspirators that we’ve worked closely with on the albums, videos and tours, and thank you to all the fans and supporters we’ve picked up along the way. Our merch is still available from our store. Our Facebook page will remain active, and any future developments from any HARK members will be shared here.
Thank you,
JBI
Hark 2017: Jimbob Isaac, Simon Bonwick, Joe Harvatt, Tom Shortt”
With their second full-length ‘Machinations’, HARK deliver a perfectly crafted vision of sludge-infused hard rock, while further expanding on their simultaneously progressive and muscular sonic palette.
‘Machinations’ is an intelligent, forward-thinking rock record, in an age where cult nostalgia trips and retrogressive throwbacks are all too common. Taking cues from Jimbob Isaac’s sludge metal legacy in Welsh underground heroes TAINT.
In addition to Simon Bonwick’s bombastic drumming, the hard-hitting rockers have meanwhile expanded their line-up to include the virtuoso chops of lead guitarist Joe Harvatt, while bassist Tom Shortt holds the low end down with weighty grind and dexterity. HARK v2.0 is now officially in widescreen. They offer a holistic, collective approach to inventive song craft and beautifully precise pummelling.
HARK‘s acclaimed debut ‘Crystalline’ (2014) displayed a maturity hardly expected from a debut, with global critical acclaim dubbing it a ‘game changer’ in the sludge and stoner rock sphere. ‘Machinations’ was recorded with Andy Hawkins at The Nave (Leeds, UK) and Gethin Pearson at The Bassment of Sonic Architecture (Pontypool, UK). Mixing is handled this time by Pearson, Harvatt and Isaac, while James Plotkin (SUNN O))), ISIS, KHANATE) takes on mastering duties. With this dedicated, hands-on approach, ‘Machinations’ will allow HARK to further spread their wing into spheres unknown.
Jimbob Isaac’s soaring and gritty lead vocals convey the existential angst of living in the media saturated and economically unstable climate from which ‘Machinations’ was born. His fragmented and deeply subconscious lyrical flow, talks of abstracted emotions, spiritual disintegration, toxic encounters, psychic endeavours, and technological overload. Isaac’s complex prose is woven into a sonic tapestry created by he and his band mates that will make heavy rock listeners stand to attention.
Isaac also envelopes this record with his distinctive artwork, creating a pen and ink space-scape, an all-enveloping world of machinated beauty and a fine line near-future. Truly anchoring and expanding the HARK universe in all its pointillised, detailed splendour.
Having honed their live act on tours with the likes of CLUTCH, RED FANG, PRONG, KEN mode and A STORM OF LIGHT, HARK are a genuine force to be reckoned with. Following praised appearances at renowned festivals such as Roadburn, Hellfest, Summer Breeze, Bloodstock, and Damnation, the Welsh heavy rockers have clearly succeeded in transforming their live energy into ‘Machinations’. This newly incarnated quartet is ready to conquer the world!
