The Hungry Pyknic Set Fire to Convention with the Cinematic Powerhouse “Smokescreen”
- STAFF
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
By: Staff
An electrifying triumph from The Hungry Pyknic, packed with grit, precision, and pure sonic force.
We’re so glad we found The Hungry Pyknic and this latest release, “Smokescreen.”
Right out of the gate, the opening guitar hits like something straight out of a brooding comic book fantasy. If Batman shredded on guitar with haunting, ghost-note precision, this would be it. The mood is instantly cinematic, casting a shadowy atmosphere that gradually builds into something grungier and grittier. It feels like a storm's about to hit, charging forward with the weight and presence of a new age heavy metal sound that has evolved beyond traditional boundaries into something thrillingly its own.
“Smokescreen” delivers its second big surprise when the vocals strike. Think back to being a kid, sick with a sore throat and secretly wishing you could keep that raw, gravelly rasp forever. That’s exactly what The Hungry Pyknic has mastered here. The voice is unforgettable, arguably one of the coolest we’ve ever heard. S.L.J.’s delivery is fast-paced yet rugged and utterly commanding. There’s an almost acrobatic control in the way he climbs the melody, like sprinting up a burning ladder, while the drums underneath him erupt in a fire-fueled ascent. The connection between S.L.J. and Jake on drums is nothing short of exhilarating. It is more than performance; it is synergy. The vocals don’t just ride the beat. They bend it to their will.
Landing hard in the chorus with the gripping line:
“can’t see can’t breathe,”
S.L.J. echoes the wild impact of a figure like Lemmy. But make no mistake, this voice stands on its own, unmistakably original and entirely unforgettable. There’s a visceral punch in his tone that gets under your skin in the best way possible, the kind of sound you crave again the moment it fades.
The way the production captures this energy is nothing short of masterful. You can feel Jake’s precision in every layer of the mix; each element is clear and purposeful. The vocals are front and commanding without overpowering the rhythmic intensity of the drums. It’s a rare kind of balance that still feels volatile, as if the entire track is teetering on the edge of collapse but never quite loses control. That tension keeps mounting until the guitar solo erupts. And when it does, it’s not just a standout, it’s a moment of total sonic obliteration. The solo tears through the arrangement, blurring the line between melody and chaos, and delivers a white-hot blaze of pure rock energy.
Jake, who handled all instrumentation along with mixing and mastering, proves that technical precision and raw chaos can absolutely coexist when guided by the right creative force. S.L.J., as both lyricist and vocalist, drives the emotional narrative with fierce clarity and gripping urgency, grounding the song’s fury in something deeply human.
When the chorus returns, you’re not just singing along. You’re fully thrown into the chaos. The pulse is pounding, the adrenaline is spiking, and you're completely immersed. This is music that doesn’t ask for your attention. It takes it, unapologetically.
We’re impressed. This is the kind of discovery that makes you want to dive headfirst into everything the artist has ever released. We’ll absolutely be digging through The Hungry Pyknic’s back catalog, and if you have a pulse, you should too. With this electrifying release, there’s no question The Hungry Pyknic is heading somewhere major, and fast. We’ll be keeping a close eye on what’s coming next.
The Hungry Pyknic’s “Smokescreen” is a ferocious, unrelenting thrill ride that hits with unforgettable impact.
Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, The Hungry Pyknic is anything but ordinary. Their sound is an audacious blend of alt rock energy, progressive rock structure, and cinematic flair. They merge storytelling with sonic spectacle in every release.
Jake, handling all instruments and overseeing mixing and mastering, anchors the band’s sound with razor-sharp control and vision. Meanwhile, S.L.J. delivers vocals with fierce, unfiltered conviction while also lending a creative hand in lyric writing. Together, the duo crafts music that is steeped in anxiety, action, and emotion, channeling those themes through technical arrangements and pulse-racing progressions.
Their latest work stems from a place of restless creativity, inspired by feelings of slow-motion panic and the surreal nature of escape. Built around a hypnotic 5/8 guitar riff, the track reflects the unnerving disorientation of running for your life through smoke and chaos. What makes The Hungry Pyknic stand out is how effectively they transform conceptual storytelling into a visceral, almost cinematic listening experience. “Smokescreen” continues the narrative arc following their previous album The Front 9. It forms the third release in their new chapter, Round 2, a chapter that already shows explosive promise.
We're so excited to have found and can’t wait to hear more from the incredibly dynamic The Hungry Pyknic!
Be sure to playlist, stream and share “Smokescreen” by The Hungry Pyknic.
