The latest full-length release by Bloody Knives twists the genre of post-shoegaze into an indescribable form filled with disturbed dignity and dilated turbulence. Like a sadistic wallflower placing salt on a slug out of boredom and sheer curiosity, the result is an explosive expression of melodic noise and tortured guitars. An orchestral cocktail of Christian Death goth-punk and early 90s industrial-fuzz oblivion contaminates the frequencies of Bloody Knives’ disheveled musical world. Above all else, the band establishes themselves as an independent and original entity in the vast arena of non-mainstream rock.
With S&M now becoming a more popular pastime in our current culture and individual expression revealing its inherent darkness and unpredictable soul, this is the sonic equivalent of seeking pleasure through extreme behavior. Guitars that are literally scratching and tearing through overblown amplification provide a delicate oxygen that lets the echoey vocals breathe with vicious contemplation. A relentless energy shoves the blurred passages. Restless drumming and icy bass lines ricocheting back and forth. Eerie keyboards and feverish reptilian guitar lines feed the electrified neurotic crash with a soothing suicidal acid rain.
This Austin, Texas based rock mutation kicks off the record with the dread-filled hyperactive goth-punk of “Cystic”. An infectious symphony of confusion and dark harmony instantly ignites. “Blood Turns Cold” continues the macabre melodies with its syncopated heavy drumming and super fuzz distortion. Disembodied vocals and disjointed radioactive solos create a hypnotic trance laced with deadly feedback, fragments of Pailhead frenzy hidden in the mix. The Knives boldly display their stellar songwriting and insidious hook ability on “Poison Halo”, “Reflection Lies”, and “Black Hole”. Heavy in its chic dissonance and angst-ridden wired-punk leanings, “Buried Alive” ends this collection in a suicidal fast-tempo firebomb wall of unsettled sound, repeated listening mandatory. Every track holds its own, without filler and without apology. With the enticing nervous vibration of summer well on its way, this may be the impulsive cure you’ve been searching for to ease your pain.
BLOODY KNIVES - POISON HALO (video)
SAINT MARIE RECORDS
BLOODY KNIVES FACEBOOK
--Kevin McGovern--
FEAR/LOATHING
