Kilonova – Omnicide

By RingMaster Review on July 11, 2019 • ( 0 )

As the year continues to unfold, it is easy to see 2019 being a marker moment for emerging UK metallers, Kilonova. Formed last year, the band has already supported Finnish outfit Lost Society in the opening moments of this one and now to continue a potent few months are set to unleash their debut EP, Omnicide.

Newcastle Upon Tyne hailing, Kilonova breed their sound in thrash metal but as their new EP reveals, there is plenty more to its voracious proposition including a definite punk snarl. Indeed there are certain moments within Omnicide where we had the thought that if Siouxsie and The Banshees had turned to thrash, it would have not been a million miles away from the threat and rousing incitement heard within the EP.

Descent opens up the release, its portentous breath looming in with increasing menace as riffs gather and emerge from within its brief but potent threat. Eventually they trigger the rise of Straight to Hell, the second track stalking ears before launching a primal yet resourceful attack led by the predacious riffs of guitarist Jonny Sloan and the equally voracious tones of vocalist Ellen Hill. The barbarously swinging rhythms of drummer Steve Rouse and the heavily prowling bassline of Joe Bambrick simply add to the compelling trespass, the track becoming more predatory and rousing by each anthemic thrash fuelled second.

The EP’s first single, it makes for a great full start to Omnicide, one hungrily matched by Hang the Hangman. A mere breath separates ears and its ravening insurgency; guitars and rhythms again a furious accosting of the senses as Hill uncages her eventful caustic attack. Feral and virulent, the track rabidly hit the spot as band and release continued to arouse attention and appetite though it is swiftly outdone by the outstanding Own Enemy. Threat and drama clouds its presence from the first creative gasp, its predacious prowl soon inspiring those earlier mentioned punk suggestions, the song only escalating its fearsome intent and aggression by the inventive circle of enterprise. Easily our favourite moment within the EP, the song also provides an exciting glimpse of uniqueness the band could and should continue to explore.

The equally compelling Blood in the Water similarly breeds stirring freshness in imagination and endeavour to elevate its thrash instincts, the treat of unpredictability and imagination challenging and chasing the senses with the punk/gothic rock hues which had already captivated in its predecessor; both tracks together forging the striking pinnacle of the release before Ivory Tower brings Omnicide to a fine conclusion. The final track is unbridled fury from its first roar but another embracing the growing invention within the release even if its thrash heart still drives its enterprise.

Fiercely enjoyable on the first listen and only more striking and thrilling thereon in, Omnicide is a major declaration of presence and intent by Kilonova; a band which as they ignite the uniqueness teasing within their first EP have what it takes to be a potent protagonist in UK metal.

Omnicide is released July 12^th across most stores.