Heavy metal bands, at least back in the day, have always embodied the unconventional. Whether it’s insanely taboo lyrical subject matter or wild, almost demonic-sounding vocals, heavy metal bands always seem to be pushing the envelope, even today. And in my opinion, no band embodies that disinterest in convention quite like the death metal outfit Hatebeak.
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What makes Hatebeak so unconventional, you ask? Their frontman and lead vocalist is a living, breathing, actual parrot. Like, the bird. Psittacus erithacus, the African grey parrot, to be precise.
How Hatebeak, the World’s Premier Parrot Metal Band, Came To Be
Hatebeak is a death metal and grindcore outfit that was formed by (human) musicians Blake Harrison and Mark Sloan. The band famously features the vocal stylings of an African grey parrot named Waldo. At 34 years old, Waldo doesn’t seem ready to retire yet, either.
A standout act signed to Reptilian Records, Hatebeak came to fame with the release of the album Number Of The Beak in 2015. Though, the band originally started way back in 2003. Before and after their debut (and only) full-length record, they released a handful of split records with the likes of Caninus, Birdflesh, Longmont Potion Castle, and Boar Glue. For reference, Caninus is a band whose two lead singers are dogs. I’m not kidding.
In an interview from 2015, shortly after the release of Hatebeak’s full-length album, interviewer John Gentile asked Waldo if he had any thoughts on the fact that the band’s fans spent more time listening to the sounds he makes, rather than the actual lyricism behind Hatebeak’s songs.
“Eeeerrrk! Squaaark! Chrrrr chrrr chrrr rrrrrrr,” Waldo responded.
Describing this band isn’t easy, especially for someone not completely familiar with death metal. To me, it sounds insane. To others, it sounds like “a jackhammer being ground in a compactor.” Others, such as the writers at Aquarius Records magazine, have called the band “furious” and “blasting” among death metal bands.
Hatebeak is believed by many to be the first band to have a bird as a lead singer. To be honest, any similar band doesn’t immediately come to mind, so I’m inclined to believe that notion.
Sadly, drummer Blake Harrison passed away in 2024. Mark Sloan and Waldo are still apparently making music, though it isn’t clear what will come of the parrot-fronted metal band in the 2020s. At least we have Number Of The Beak to enjoy forever, and possibly concern our next-door neighbors for years to come.
Photo via the cover of Hatebeak’s 2015 album ‘Number Of The Beak’
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