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.

• 1
  Anxiety Club
• 2
  Devilskin
• 3
  Coridian
• 4
  Take Hold
• 5
  Skinny Hobos
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Head Like A Hole
• 8
  Shihad
• 9
  Villainy
• 10
  Like A Storm

• 
  Muroki @ Galatos, Auckland - 19/04/2024
• 
  When The Cats Away @ Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington - 21/04/2024
• 
  Luke Buda @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  Phoebe Rings @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024

• 1
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 2
  BEAUTIFUL THINGS
  Benson Boone
• 3
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 4
  I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
  Artemas
• 5
  SATURN
  SZA
• 6
  STICK SEASON
  Noah Kahan
• 7
  END OF BEGINNING
  Djo
• 8
  LIKE THAT
  Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
• 9
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 10
  WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
  Ariana Grande

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