13 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Villainy - EP Review: Dead Sides (The Lost EP)

18 Aug 2021 // A review by Andrew Smit

How wonderful it is to hear 5 new Villainy songs of rip roaring rock tunes that coalesce intimately in this EP format.

There is a so much more spice added to this rock pot than the standard rock fare that you might consume from mainstream radio, and while comparisons to Shihad are apparent with their sound influenced by previous Tom Larkin produced material, but these tracks are self-produced and is a touch more raw and edgy.

These new tunes have a great expressive quality and never has this been more evident than with Neill's precocious singing combining so well with the ultra-rock clarity guitar sound they have perfected so well. All of which is driven along so aggressively well to the tight pounding rhythms of Dave Johnston’s striking drum work and James Dylan’s bass perfection. As always each track is laden with Thom Watt’s stunning riffs and Neill’s rhythmic and articulate guitar work. Villainy are a great 4 part (Bass, drums, guitar and vocal) band, but extra mention must go to Neill’s vocals which are a mix of tone-full croons and wails, with added stunning bursts of rip snorting screams and scowls, his tonal and timbre range expand the soundscape with explosive authority and alarming expression.

Here is a little analysis of each track.

First up is Cinnamon with its rumbling riff that drives perfectly to an uplifting rhythm, and when you add a rigid pulsing guitar - wow this is good, and that was just the intro! But wait Neill’s is just getting warmed up, by the end he is tearing the song off the charts with a throat and ear burning scowl that has to be heard to be believed.

Next up is Stab with its guitar licks neatly framing the dynamic and tight rhythmic precision from Dave and James’s Drum and Bass backline. A sparkling chorus blasts out of the verses with a surprisingly dazzling brilliance. And once again it ends dramatically with Neill’s enraged vocal scowls ripping into your fibres with another power burst of energy.

Silver Linings starts with an amazing whale like wailing guitar! After that we hear a very cool walking riff which narrates its way through the song perfectly. Neill mixes up the singing between crooning and power expressions that cut through the distorted and wailing guitars, all of which make this track take you on a dreamy flight.

Godspeed is a superb power driven song; the rhythm is hypnotically gratifying and uplifting. The brilliantly distorted guitars furnish the song with dynamic dominance.

Hallowed Ground has a superb bass riff which gives this track a charming groove and it propels the song along its journey impeccably.

It's hard to believe these were potentially dead or lost, as they are rip roaring tracks that are thankfully alive and found.

Rating: ( 5 / 5 )
 

About Villainy

Villainy
vill·uh·nee /?vil?nç/
Noun: 1. The actions or conduct of a villain; outrageous wickedness.
2. Maniacal rock band from Auckland, New Zealand.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Villainy

Releases

Dead Sides (The Lost EP)
Year: 2021
Type: EP
Beggar
Year: 2020
Type: EP
Raised In The Dark
Year: 2019
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Dead Sight
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Mode. Set. Clear.
Year: 2012
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Andrew Smit

Album Review: 1 Drop Nation
20 Dec 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Opening with a very spiritual Maori haka Intro - Waerea, we were introduced to the opening track Homeland, which is an unashamedly patriotic Aotearoa anthem with repeated strains of "We are one nation". This is a track that proudly declares love for home, while also being a rally call for the future.
Read More...
Tahini Bikini - Album Review: Fever Dream
15 Nov 2022 // by Andrew Smit
An album full of very danceable funk tunes, loaded with tight guitar, bass, brass and percussion that provide a perfect foundation for the expressive soulful vocals of Madeline Lucy Taylor. Her unique clarity is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse or our own Kiwi songstress Gin Wigmore.
Read More...
Haze Lane - Single/Video Review: Natural Feeling
22 Aug 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Matching the songs title very aptly South Auckland indie band Haze Lane has produced Natural Feeling, a very organic song that does indeed deliver a very smooth natural feeling. The ultra-cool ambient sound is reminiscent to the early roots sound of Six60 and L.
Read More...
Gig Review: Anthonie Tonnon @ Hollywood Cinema, Auckland - 14/05/2022
16 May 2022 // by Andrew Smit
On a coolish Saturday evening it was great to see a rather large crowd that clearly were so happy and eager to experience a night of live music, and what a perfect venue to stage it at the slightly musty but still majestic Hollywood Cinema in Avondale. Opening the proceedings was the cool 4 piece band Lips with their ambient 80’s groove thanks to the techno synth sounds from keyboardist and singer Steph Brown.
Read More...
Vogel Town - Single Review: Sludge City
24 Apr 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Interestingly Vogel Town's new song Sludge City begins with an automated telephone voice, and then a street argument which is soon accompanied by a very groovy walking bass line, quickly growing from just a couple of notes to a broad melody of its own. At first the only addition is some nice, nonchalant drum fills, but as the background street noise fades away, the introduction of vibrant reverberating guitar strums adds a final element that completes the ensemble perfectly, and altogether this provides a very cool bluesy vibe.
Read More...
SKRAM - Single Review: Living Our Lives
22 Mar 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Beginning with some straightforward but quite funky keys your soon steered to a very upbeat and chunky ensemble of music that energetically drives along with its super groovy reggae vibe. SKRAM are a very high energy 3-piece pop group that have delivered a fine tune that embodies their claim of “energetic” perfectly.
Read More...
Tomorrow People - Album Review: 21
02 Jan 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Tomorrow People have produced a wonderful assemblage of uplifting reggae tunes that are performed and sung with heart and purpose. All 16 tracks are packed with brilliant harmonies that are propelled along by the glorious uplifting off beat rhythmic delight that reggae music delivers so well.
Read More...
Torn Chorus - Single/Video Review: This City Floats
10 Sep 2021 // by Andrew Smit
From a simple opening beat to a wonderful flourish of acoustic guitars layered with luscious chorus and flange effects, the new single from Torn Chorus, This City Floats, is brought to life with wailing electric lead guitar licks and slides that sound melodically precise and emotive. Crisp vocals tell you about the labour and reward that you get for following the beaten path to the top, which as the video shows so well, is Auckland’s remnant volcanic cones, but the metaphor could be used for any journey in life.
Read More...
View All Articles By Andrew Smit

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem