KILL WHITNEY DEAD
"Nothing
Less, Nothing More" (Tribunal; 2007)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
Systematically shedding their novelty status piece by piece by upping the ante on the musical end of the spectrum, Killwhitneydead's "Nothing Less, Nothing More" relies less on flash and more on guitar heroics and serpentine vocals than this quintet's previous offerings.
But don't fret folks; the barrage of samples from some of Hollywood's most infamous action flicks are still hurled out at an alarming rate across the course of this 13-track sojourn. Only this time, the real shock of it all comes from the grinding guitars that adorn misogynistic anthems such as "Time to Teach Her a Lesson Called Replaceable" and "Losing Weight and Looking Great," proving that this act has a lot more in their repertoire than lifting cool dialogue from big budget movies.
For more information, check out http://www.killwhitneydead.com.
"So
Pretty So Plastic" (Tribunal; 2005)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
After having my low expectations of Killywhitneydead’s debut “Never Good
Enough For You” blown away back in 2004, I certainly had pretty high expectations for the band’s sophomore effort “So Pretty So
Plastic.” My expectations have been met.
With “So Pretty So Plastic” Killwhitneydead continue with their blend of precision-laden grindcore and groovy death metal riffs.
Like a lot of bands combining these two genres Killwhitneydead seem to have a bit of
trouble making the multiple parts work on all cylinders at all times, but generally have a knack for keeping things interesting without relying on
any one stylish riff or genre stereotypes for too long. Additionally, I think Killwhitneydead are headed in the right direction as they’ve found a
niche, warts and all, that seems to worth developing. Some of the tracks (“Murder Nouveau” and “I Wouldn’t Kick Her Out Of Bed For Eating
Crackers”) are genuine stunners – this is what I wanted to hear the first time around.
“So Pretty So Plastic” features song lengths that are a bit longer than
the debut which allows the band to flesh out their ideas a little more fully. The band’s use of movie dialogue is still very evident, although a
bit more subdued. Add in a bit more melody and traditional song-structures and you’ve basically got a pretty solid record regardless
of genre-smashing.
Overall, I find “So Pretty So Plastic” to be a bit more satisfying than “Never Good Enough For You.” Dedicated fans of
Killwhitneydead will not be disappointed with “So Pretty So Plastic” and casual fans will generally
have a lot more to absorb and appreciate this time around.
“So Pretty So Plastic” was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jamie King.
Killwhitneydead is Mike on vocals/samples, Steven and Cook on guitars, Mac
on bass, and Collin on drums.
For more information visit http://www.killwhitneydead.com.
"So
Pretty So Plastic" (Tribunal; 2005)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That seems to be KillWhitneyDead's mantra for "So Pretty So Plastic."
Blending their death metal menacings with a slathering of samples from movies and television shows sets Arizona's Killwhitneydead apart from the plethora of other extreme metal groups out today. On "So Pretty So Plastic" the quintet (who recorded this endeavor as a trio) whip up some staggeringly heavy death metal riffs, some Carcass-esque vocals, and whirlwind drums, and manage to implement movie clips from such notorious flicks as "Full Metal Jacket," "Apocalypse Now" and "Planet of the Apes" inside such pulverizing cuts as "One Match and a Gallon of Gasoline" and the deliciously depraved "If I Told You I Love You, Will I Get It Any Faster?"
Armed with a barrage of crushing riffs as well as a demented sense of humor, these warped metal warriors push the envelope of both musical limitations as well as good taste and come up with another intriguing release.
For more information, check out www.killwhitneydead.com.
"Never
Good Enough For You" (Tribunal; 2004)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
From the band's name and the blood-splattered artwork for "Never Good Enough For You" it was apparent that I was in for a grinding, grating, and abrasive affair. And Killwhitneydead certainly delivers on that point – almost too well, in fact. The music is a crisp mix of snappy grindcore and groove-laden death metal that comes across like Burnt By The Sun with a photographic memory for movie dialogue.
As you might guess, what separates Killwhitneydead from other bands in the extreme metal scene is their extensive (and I do mean extensive) use of movie dialogue as an additional means to get their point across. And what might their point be exactly? Pretty much the most surgical hatred for mankind that I've heard in a while. Most if seems pretty real, but a good portion of it is a little tongue-in-cheek. And if you care enough to read the lyrics and listen to the movie samples there's at least a bit of something that ties both of them together.
Basically Killwhitneydead's "Never Good Enough For You" is violence crystallized into a lethal hammer blow. Hyperbole has gotten the best of me once again, but the theatrics contained on the album have put me in that kind of mood. Meanwhile, the disc blazes in at 17-tracks at nearly 31-minutes – no excess fat here, kids. However, the band doesn't take itself too seriously as some of the song-titles and lyrics suggest. Besides, the lyrics mostly describe violence directed at other people whereas the artwork reflects violence directed at one's own self; that incongruity is enough to let you know that the band aren't too worried about the consistency of the visual and musical messages (or at least the band is pretty damned astute to avoid being too consistent lest they find themselves in trouble with the FCC). While I'm at it the brave young lady who is depicted in the artwork must have a strong sense of herself as I think very few people would be willing to subject themselves to that kind of imagery.
All in all, "Never Good Enough For You" is a surprisingly good effort – certainly better than I expected and I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much from seeing the disc at face value.
"Never Good Enough For You" was produced by Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, Glass Casket).
Killwhitneydead is Mike on vocals and samples, Steven on guitar, Cook on bass, Colin on drums.
For more information visit http://www.killwhitneydead.com
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Nov 2024 12:46:16 -0500.
