One Shot Kill
We were recently contacted by One Shot Kill, a New Ross based 4 piece hammering out Rock and Metal of epic proportions (or as they put it, composing ridiculously long originals that are impossible to play live). The band have gone through some line up changes in their time but in 2011, they finally settled down and quickly recorded their debut EP, Quick and Painless. Having sent us through a copy, I figured it was time to check these guys out for myself.
Come Out Alive opens things in mind-blowing fashion, launching straight into a riff fuelled track full to the brim with lead moments, pinch harmonics and enough funk to get your grandma shaking. The over all feel here is one of a band which you’re going to have to see live to fully appreciate, crafting a track which is both heavy and catchy at the same time, somehow incorporating the accessible approach with the all out heaviness which the band seem to naturally ooze. If you’re looking for a track which opens an EP leaving you with no doubt that what you’re going to hear is going to be epic, then this is it – from the opening notes there’s no holding back and you end up being converted to the band by about 2 minutes in!
Go To Waste continues the heavy and funky theme, launching us into another track which is going to get pits moving, people involved and everyone firmly on board with the band. Almost holding elements of Gaelic music in the progression of the chords there’s a mixed sense to this track, once again combining their all out heavy approach with an accessible edge, one which wouldn’t see this out of place being played on the radio or similar. Add in a soaringly melodic chorus for good measure and what you’ve got here is a serious high point on the EP! The Sniper seems to tone everything down as it begins, ushering in a piano line to get things going and creating a sense of dark emotion, somehow changing the outlook of the EP yet keeping you engaged, making you want to know more – then the sniper shot comes in and answers everything! Once again throwing into a hammering riff designed to get every air guitarist out there drooling, this is another serious high point on the album, keeping it simple yet forming a track which you’re going to want to hear over and over again.
Closing with Quick And Painless there’s one last example of why this band is going to be one to watch, throwing out a riff which is sure to get live crowds moving and fists in the air, this final moment leaves you wanting more. Carefully crafted once again, the overall feel of this track doesn’t quite match up to the others vocally, but the backing music does more than enough talking to push it through and make it more than acceptable. Powerful and distorted, this is quite possibly my personal favourite track from the EP, it’s got that sound which I always associated with metal – and it sounds good!
One Shot Kill don’t give a lot away about themselves, but quite often I think that’s a good thing as it can sometimes make people form preconceptions about things. What you’ve got here is a hell of an accomplished EP, and one which I would never have said was a debut from a band. The band have done well to achieve this, so the future is looking damned bright for what ever comes next – just make sure you keep me informed!
To find out more about One Shot Kill, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Come Out Alive opens things in mind-blowing fashion, launching straight into a riff fuelled track full to the brim with lead moments, pinch harmonics and enough funk to get your grandma shaking. The over all feel here is one of a band which you’re going to have to see live to fully appreciate, crafting a track which is both heavy and catchy at the same time, somehow incorporating the accessible approach with the all out heaviness which the band seem to naturally ooze. If you’re looking for a track which opens an EP leaving you with no doubt that what you’re going to hear is going to be epic, then this is it – from the opening notes there’s no holding back and you end up being converted to the band by about 2 minutes in!
Go To Waste continues the heavy and funky theme, launching us into another track which is going to get pits moving, people involved and everyone firmly on board with the band. Almost holding elements of Gaelic music in the progression of the chords there’s a mixed sense to this track, once again combining their all out heavy approach with an accessible edge, one which wouldn’t see this out of place being played on the radio or similar. Add in a soaringly melodic chorus for good measure and what you’ve got here is a serious high point on the EP! The Sniper seems to tone everything down as it begins, ushering in a piano line to get things going and creating a sense of dark emotion, somehow changing the outlook of the EP yet keeping you engaged, making you want to know more – then the sniper shot comes in and answers everything! Once again throwing into a hammering riff designed to get every air guitarist out there drooling, this is another serious high point on the album, keeping it simple yet forming a track which you’re going to want to hear over and over again.
Closing with Quick And Painless there’s one last example of why this band is going to be one to watch, throwing out a riff which is sure to get live crowds moving and fists in the air, this final moment leaves you wanting more. Carefully crafted once again, the overall feel of this track doesn’t quite match up to the others vocally, but the backing music does more than enough talking to push it through and make it more than acceptable. Powerful and distorted, this is quite possibly my personal favourite track from the EP, it’s got that sound which I always associated with metal – and it sounds good!
One Shot Kill don’t give a lot away about themselves, but quite often I think that’s a good thing as it can sometimes make people form preconceptions about things. What you’ve got here is a hell of an accomplished EP, and one which I would never have said was a debut from a band. The band have done well to achieve this, so the future is looking damned bright for what ever comes next – just make sure you keep me informed!
To find out more about One Shot Kill, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls