PDHM are a London based band that came into existence nearly 4 years ago now, formed by Stuart McGee – vocals, and Lee Kent - lead guitar.  They were joined by Alistair McGee (Stuarts brother) also on vocals, Tony Hopkins on Bass and Richard Keenan on drums. 

“Who Knows the Unknown” is an enhanced 6 track mini album and is being released on 4^th Dec 06 through the UK Metal label Krescendo Records, closely following on from the bands performances at the UK Metal Festival and Uxfest earlier this year, and also their forthcoming headline appearance at Subverse on 3^rd December. Busy?  You betcha.  They also have plans in the pipeline to produce a full length studio album in the new year.  I think these guys need a rest. 

PDHM is another of those Thrash/Hate Metal bands that seem to be appearing almost daily now and they could quite easily fall into that ever present “sound alike” trap that I have mentioned on previous reviews (not really a big Thrash fan myself).  But, as you can see by their resume above, they obviously have something that fans of the genre like, and were at one point being touted as one of the best unsigned bands in the country. 

The thing with Thrash Metal is that it is very reliant on the rhythm section to keep the house in order, and once again special mention must go to Tony and Richard for laying down an absolutely awesome backbone of heavy, unstoppable thumping beat from drums and bass which draws the whole group together allowing Lee on guitar to almost have free reign with his fingers as he manages to get upfront and personal with some outlandish, fluid and ferocious riffing all the way through the album, guitar playing with a clarity that is very rarely heard nowadays. 

Now, onto the vocals.  You may have noticed earlier on that PDHM have 2 vocalists, the brothers McGee.  You have Alistair, who has the more hardcore, aggressive, shouting approach which complements the more melodic, harmonious vocals from Stuart.  Instead of the vocals fighting against each other, they manage to blend them together, almost to perfection, to give a gritty “Good Vs Evil” sound to each track.  I must quote another reviewer here, he described the brother McGee as “two pissed off Pit Bulls with a long history of mental problems” – couldn’t have put it better myself. 

“Who Knows the Unknown” is a very passionate, punishingly heavy, at times melodic release that will please the fans already out there, and undoubtedly pull more fans into the fold. Their sounds reminding me a lot of “36 Crazyfist” (which I reviewed earlier in the year), and although “Who Knows the Unknown” won’t be staying on my MP3 player, the name of the band will stick in my head and if I am ever asked for recommendations for this genre, PDHM will be one of my first recommendations.  

A decent release, a good pre-curser of what is to come in the future and in my opinion worthy of a very creditable 7.5/10.

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Track List

Count Your Blessings
DNR
Fallen From Grace
As Good As Dead
Burning Inside
Who Knows The Unknown

Line Up

Stuart McGee  - Vocals
Lee Kent - lead guitar
Tony Hopkins - bass guitar
Richard Keenan - drums
Alistair McGee - vocals