DEATH BY KI
“Bursting out of Bridgwater, Somerset” says the blurb....hold on a sec, though, things don’t burst out of Somerset, they sort of amble (I have a couple of friends there that will probably strip me naked and whip me for saying that, but it’s true). However, what they did tell me was that Death By Ki are a good band and by the gods they were right. ‘The Right Of Might’ is the debut EP from this band and even though it does veer towards the more metalcore/modern sound, something that doesn’t always sit comfortably with me, they do it coupled with a huge slab of mid-paced Metallica, Megadeth and Evile sounding thrash metal that raises Death By Ki way above many other young bands in this genre.
What you will undoubtedly notice first, considering this is a debut, is the stunning production and mix which has been handled by Jeff Rose (former guitarist for Dub War and Skindred) at Junkyard Studios in Newport, Wales. He has immediately found the right sound for Death By Ki and if they have their heads screwed on correctly, will continue to work with him on future recordings. Once you get passed the quality sound, what you will find is five insanely catchy and excellent slabs of Metal with some exemplary guitar work. If Metallica could come up with a track these days half as good as closer ‘Lights Out’ then I might even think about forgiving them for ‘LuLu’! Josh Ayerst (vocals/guitar), Chris Chamberlain (guitar), Will Robins (bass) and Nick Cope (drums) have delivered a real statement of intent with this EP and Death By Ki are obviously starting to get noticed, judging by the support slots to bands such as Revoker, Evile and Gallows amongst others. If I have one small niggle then it’s the occasional metalcore screams and delivery of Josh, but that’s certainly not a slight on his voice, it’s just my personal preference. Other than that, this is one of the best sounding modern metal bands I’ve heard for a long time and proof positive that not everyone that lives in Somerset drives a tractor, sucks straw or drinks insanely strong cider (cue a second whipping)!
What you will undoubtedly notice first, considering this is a debut, is the stunning production and mix which has been handled by Jeff Rose (former guitarist for Dub War and Skindred) at Junkyard Studios in Newport, Wales. He has immediately found the right sound for Death By Ki and if they have their heads screwed on correctly, will continue to work with him on future recordings. Once you get passed the quality sound, what you will find is five insanely catchy and excellent slabs of Metal with some exemplary guitar work. If Metallica could come up with a track these days half as good as closer ‘Lights Out’ then I might even think about forgiving them for ‘LuLu’! Josh Ayerst (vocals/guitar), Chris Chamberlain (guitar), Will Robins (bass) and Nick Cope (drums) have delivered a real statement of intent with this EP and Death By Ki are obviously starting to get noticed, judging by the support slots to bands such as Revoker, Evile and Gallows amongst others. If I have one small niggle then it’s the occasional metalcore screams and delivery of Josh, but that’s certainly not a slight on his voice, it’s just my personal preference. Other than that, this is one of the best sounding modern metal bands I’ve heard for a long time and proof positive that not everyone that lives in Somerset drives a tractor, sucks straw or drinks insanely strong cider (cue a second whipping)!
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Self-released
EP
THE RIGHT OF MIGHT
Review by Rick Tilley
RUNNING TIME:
22:40
RELEASE DATE:
20th May 2013
TRACK LISTING
1) Like Oxygen to Fire
2) The Right of Might
3) Control (In a World of Free-Will)
4) TAO
5) Lights Out
2) The Right of Might
3) Control (In a World of Free-Will)
4) TAO
5) Lights Out
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"If Metallica could come up with a track these days half as good as closer ‘Lights Out’ then I might even think about forgiving them for ‘LuLu’!"
