LP REVIEW KILL 2 THIS 1. THE TRUTH...AND OTHER LIES |
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This is their first album for two and a half years - since "Trinity" back in Nov 1999 - now we find a stabilised Kill 2 This putting a turbulent period behind them and re-emerging with transformed vigour and unmistakable maturity. "Mass. [down.] - sin. (drone.)" sees them chalking-up their fourth album, this time on the respected Loudspeaker Records and with the added benefit of Plastic Head Distribution. There are some exceptionally heavy songs on this album, hard driving guitars, hammering bass drums, chugging rhythms and aggressive vocal delivery. There is also an astonishing amount of intricate delicateness, much of this detail suddenly becomes apparent as you get more familiar with the songs. From amongst the heavier tracks, "Spineglass" begins softly with acoustics but soon erupts into a heavy chugging torrent with lashings of bass drums and a slight industrial tinge. "Suburbanality" takes a leap up in the heaviness stakes, sounding like Landmine Spring doing Machine Head. Other highlights include, "Winter Green" which eases back a great deal with a subtle eastern feel, it's a long song that twists and turns and almost becomes Tool-esque halfway through. "Circles" is very gentle and acoustic, at times suggesting a Spanish vibe and has a distinct splendour and elegance, not a term often used in this genre. "Frame By Frame" has lots of detail throughout and picks up an Indian vibe towards the end. "Typhoid And Swans" is a bizarre mix of downtuned guitars phased into passages of electronics and keyboards with harmonised operatic vocals sympathetically used to build an awesome atmosphere. If there is a downside and it's just a slight irritation with the seeming sameness of the vocals - the domination of harmonised growling - that somehow made the album seem too analogous, which it clearly isn't as there is a tremendous amount of depth and diversity to be found. However, after a number of listens it becomes less important, you really begin to appreciate the deeper qualities and notice the more subtle vocal variations. To pick from the many positive qualities, then Mynett's lyrical content has always been an area of interest, focusing on subjects that are close to his heart and creating lucid mindscapes for all to appreciate. The polished production just adds shine to an already impressive collection of songs and it's great to hear so many diverse influences being used on this album with various cultural moods absorbed into their song structures. A good and balanced album which demonstrates that Kill 2 This are not only back, but are up there with the best. Rigsby (21st May, 2003) |
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![KILL 2 THIS 'Mass. [down.] - sin. (drone.)' LP](../images/kill2this_massdown_lp.jpg)