Death of a Dead Day,
SikThSikth are one of those bands that you either just 'get', or you don't. For the last six years, they've been defying convention with their unique brand of noisecore, which has earned them a dedicated army of fans. Despite this, they are still relative unknowns, mainly due to the fact that their music is so extreme that commercial markets have overlooked them. With their second full length 'Death of a Dead Day' finally getting its release, this doesn't look set to change.
It only takes one listen to opening track 'Bland Street Bloom' to realise that Sikth are back to their old tricks. Using their tried and tested method of truly bizarre guitar riffs put to multiple time signatures with their patented dual vocals, they've created an opening track here that stands up against some of their best previous work. It has a slightly more theatrical feel to what the band have produced before, and their use of a synthesised choir in the breakdown emphasises this. It looks set to become this album's 'Hold my Finger'.
There really are no other vocalists around these days quite like Mikey Goodman. Sounding like a cross between Chino Moreno, Corey Taylor and Cartman from South Park, he produces uncompromised aggressive vocal tones that propel songs like 'Summer Rain' and 'Sanguine Seas of Bigotry' into truly unique territory. It makes a great contrast to Justin Hill's somewhat sweeter melodies, which carry the choruses of many of the songs on 'Death of a Dead Day'. However, Justin gets to show us exactly what he can do in the more straight-rock based 'In this light', where he gets to take centre stage. Despite its contrast from the rest of the madness of the album, it still fits in to the album's flow, as the chord progressions and guitar riffs have still got that Sikth character about them.
One thing's still sure about this band is that they will not make things easy for themselves. 'Death of a Dead Day' isn't likely to make major labels and the general public stand up and listen, because it's still just too extreme for its own good. However, those kids who already love this band will adore this release, as it is uncompromised, unconventional and distinctively 'Sikth'.
Andrew
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