Jekyl

Jekyl: No Hiding Here

By: Ric Hickey

Hailing from County Kildare, Jekyl was this writer’s first inkling of an Irish Metal scene. A pleasant surprise it was too, cuz these guys flat out ROCK.

Combining all the best elements of vintage British Hard Rock and displaying absolutely none of Metal’s cheesy preening and posing, Jekyl hits like a fist to the face. Iron Maiden fans in particular will find a lot to love in Jekyl’s new 4-song EP.

While the band’s tunes don’t necessarily stick to the Maiden formula at all times, Jekyl vocalist Paul Harkin does an eerily spot-on Bruce Dickinson. The casual listener might even be excused for thinking at first that this is Iron Maiden. By which I mean to praise Jekyl for successfully emulating the gold standard in Metal, and one which most imitators fall way short of.

Don’t get me wrong: Jekyl is not a Maiden rip-off or a throw-back to the 80s. Drummer Shane Pearson, in particular, projects Jekyl into the 21st century with his machine gun rhythm and brutal chops. Though their influences are familiar, Jekyl strikes me as a blast of fresh air in today’s Metal scene. Reminding me of a classic formula that was unjustly shoved aside by the never-ending shifts and surges of the music industry, Jekyl is a Heavy Metal time machine, a class reunion of the Old School.

Jekyl’s sound conveys a strength of character and confidence that often takes years to cultivate. I would have never guessed that the band formed just a couple years ago and I can’t see how these guys can stay unsigned for long.

External Link ; http://www.unsignedthemagazine.com/c... - Unsigned The Magazine

Jekyl Rocks Druids Rally 2008

This years Druids MCC Rally was held in Poulaphouca House, Co. Wicklow, between the 25th and the 29th of July.

Friday saw the first battle of the bands for the Druids M.C.C., in which four bands competed for a slot on Saturday nights main stage. While three of the bands belted out their own styles of trash metal with ferocity, it was the second band Jekyl that caught the bikers attention. They’re old school yet new metal style proved a firm favourite with the crowd. The band hammered out an explosive set with an incredible stage performance to match. For such a young band they created a very impressive picture of where the Irish rock/metal scene is now going.

Needless to say Jekyl won the battle of the bands and picked up a cash prize and a trophy for their efforts. The Druids M.C.C. are already looking forward to seeing these guys again in 2009.

We’ll have more on this talented young band in the February 2009 issue of the Bible.
- Irish Biker Bible

Sepetmber - 7th - 2007

Kildare's Jekyl lends its rock/metal sound to help end extreme child poverty

Kitchener, Ont, Canada, September 06, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Jekyl, the edgy rock/metal band from Kildare, Ireland recently joined forces with Worldview, an international child poverty coalition to shout out a unified message “the insanity of extreme child poverty will no longer be tolerated.”

Jekyl is one of sixteen bands and singer/songwriters from ten countries who have contributed music videos and also recorded their thoughts on child poverty for the new website worldview.ca. Jekyl's video is the ultra high energy “My Time Has Come.”

Site creator Stephen Jarnick says “Jekyl's a fantastic addition to Worldview. Although we connect with the world's major child sponsorship organizations, we select artists that may not traditionally be associated with these charities. If we're going to be serious about involving as many people as possible with child sponsorship, it's important not to focus too much on conservative musical styles. The great thing about Worldview is that we're as comfortable with punk bands as we are with gospel artists. Anyone with a heart for the poor can sponsor a child.”

Jekyl is comprised of Paul Harkin: vocals, Tom Keenan: guitar, Cliff Dean: guitar, Dave Bolger: bass, and Shane Pearson: drums.

For more information about Jekyl and their upcoming EP, go to jekyl-online.com or myspace.com/jekylonline

Worldview is an international volunteer movement based in Canada that teaches how child sponsorship works and encourages support of the world's four major child sponsorship organizations – Christian Children's Fund, Compassion, Plan and World Vision. It is not a charity and it doesn't accept donations.
- Worldview