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 12th across most stores.
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Pete RingMaster 11/07/2019
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
The sing-a-long canter of Ma Claque just commands participation next up while Je Suis Le Boss owns ears with its sepia shaded sixties shuffle blessed with the intoxicating jangle of keys and the harmonic flaming of Monbel; another great pair which is still outshone by another as Drogue ‘N’ Roll swaggers in with unapologetically flirtatious grooves leading devilish power pop tainted moves and garage pop sprung temptation.
Microcosms is the creation of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Tschiltsch, an initial solo project which after a few years saw the addiction of bassist Bryan Emer and drummer Jered Pipenbrink. Musically its alternative rock nurtured sound welcomes the inspirations of artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Bully, Cage the Elephant, Courtney Barnett, Portugal. The Man, and Wolf Alice and emerges as “music to question your beliefs to”. Debut release, the Know My Body EP, enticed well-receiving attention in 2017, its impact soon eclipsed by that of the Fairytale EP a year later. They are successes we expect to be once more surpassed by, given the chance, that surrounding Forget Us.
Easy to hear why it has made such a potent impression since its release, the single makes way for next up A New Way to Hate. It too erupts with force and threat in its initial coaxing, a tempting only blossoming as its melodic and atmospheric intimation brews in keys and the fiercer throes of guitar. As its predecessor, it is a track which commands attention and like the first, sets a lingering impression and pleasure easy to embrace.
Puce first erupts with Docks, Haycroft’s lone guitar casting steely strokes at ears with his just as untamed tones quickly stepping forward to its side. Then as swiftly the track stretches its muscles and strides forth, rhythms almost gleefully and definitely venomously dancing on the senses that grooves keenly infest. As suggested earlier, the contagious sound is as individual Duckeye as fans would hope but it is a new monster with no qualms about parading seductive enterprise within its voracious incitement.