Kiero - Single Review: Kiero
Kiero, a relatively new three-piece from Tamaki Makaurau, made up of musicians who are definitely not
new to creating colourful noise. There is Michael Collier on keyboards, Jin Song on bass, and bandmate as well as a great friend of mine, Grant Kirkpatrick on drums.
While this may be the band’s first official single, there is a good amount of material Kiero have on hand that are planned for release in the near future, so this is the mere start of a new age for the trio.
With an accompanying artwork as cryptic as one provided with this self-titled single, there really is no telling what one could expect. What do all the paint swirls, bright glares that pierce through layers of earthen colours represent?
The piece begins with a gigantic wall of sound; Jin Song’s fierce, incendiary guitars and synths wash over the listener, as Grant Kirkpatrick’s unforgiving blast beats pummels one into a stupor. Where there have been comparisons between Kiero and Deafheaven, right within the first thirty seconds, it’s easy to hear why one might suggest this.
Not only does Jin’s clean singing remind me of Deftones’s singer Chino Moreno, but his vocal quality also resembles that of several tracks from 2005’s Team Sleep, a side project also spearheaded by Chino Moreno. The guest singer I’m hearing in my head may be Rob Crow, but I’m not certain.
Personally, there's one guitar riff halfway through the track that sounds extra delicious to me, twirling away while the drums dive into a groovier rhythm. I seem to recall being told by drummer Grant the “guitars” on this song are actually bass strings wound onto a normal guitar, which would explain the power behind that wall of sound.
The production sounds magnificent, even though everything appears to be turned to eleven. The organ-esque synths evoke a doom-laden feel, the basslines swirl and punch interchangeably. In keeping with the guitars and bass, Jin’s vocals switch craftily between full-throated to softly-crooned, helping emphasise the passages of the piece.
Though atmospheric in places, make no mistake - This track is intended to aurally assault, or at the very least, make listeners stop what they’re doing and pay attention.
Admittedly, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this track before; I managed to catch this song played live last month at Ding Dong Lounge, with guitar player Dil Harre in place of Michael, as per this review by Kev Rowland.
A bit of Avant Garde? For sure. Is it metal? Arguably. Could it be classed as post-rock? If it had a longer intro then definitely. For lovers of alternative rock who aren’t afraid of experimental aspects blended in, Kiero is not one to be missed.
Listen to Kiero’s Kiero on Spotify or Soundcloud.
About Kiero
They play a live show with dark synths, a 6 string bass, and a beat that grooves from hip-hop to black metal, that would feel at home in a Deathgrips crowd, or a Dir En Grey mosh. They have played alongside locals such as The First Child and are currently sitting on a back catalogue of songs that will be released quarterly
Please contact the band via their social media or email: [email protected]
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Kiero
Releases
Other Reviews By Steve Shyu
SLICEDUB - Album Review: Grotesque Coil
27 May 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Oskar Simmons Carlsson and James Smith, AKA SLICEDUB. The two-man experimental-electro/dub act hailing from Auckland and Hawkes Bay have brought forth their first major release, entitled Grotesque Coil, released on Auckland label Glass Half Full.
Read More...
These Four Walls - Single Review: Carousel
04 May 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa-born and Queensland-based rockers These Four Walls’ mission is well and truly on the move. That mission is to further evolve from their previous LP This is Not a Future, from 2020.
Read More...
Viices - Single Review: Sandcastle
26 Apr 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Today is the day Viices’s new song Sandcastle comes out! The band’s name has been around the live music circuits of Aotearoa for about eight years, under varying iterations of personnel, but the heart and soul of Viices remained.
Read More...
Darklight Corporation - Single Review: Monogod
16 Apr 2023 // by Steve Shyu
“Holy riff, Darklight Corporation are back??” were the first words I uttered aloud when this new single metaphorically landed in my lap.
Read More...
Coridian @ Tuning Fork, Auckland - 01/04/2023
05 Apr 2023 // by Steve Shyu
How could I miss this? Some of my personal favourite alt-rock acts in Tamaki Makaurau, at one of the best live venues in town.
Read More...
Dead Favours - Album Review: Riffing & Yelling Part 2
30 Mar 2023 // by Steve Shyu
One can only imagine what New Zealand’s alt-rock royalty Dead Favours have experienced over the past 18-plus months crafting their new EP, enduring release delays whilst juggling life and working, on top of navigating the weirdness of the past few years. (Come to think, I CAN imagine since my band has been through the same thing BUT this isn’t about me, haha) For those not in the know, this four-piece from Tamaki Makaurau Auckland consists of guitar player and frontman Jared Wrennall, drummer Charlie Smith, guitarist Kyle Wetton, and Alex Elvis on bass guitar.
Read More...
Bad Taste - Single Review: Weird Weekends
25 Mar 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Following their 2021 debut record Bad Taste, hip-hop duo Bad Taste have pressed on with making new music, particularly in creating a second album due out later this year, appropriately titled Bad Taste II. Because why would you name it anything else!
Read More...
The Transits - Single Review: When You Went Away
28 Feb 2023 // by Steve Shyu
In the digital age of today, it’s not uncommon for musicians and artists to collaborate and create music from kilometers, or countries away, and even beyond continents. Such is the case for The Transits, a pop rock indie trio consisting of members from Durban, South Africa and Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- CUPID (TWIN VERSION)
Fifty Fifty - PEOPLE
Libianca - LAST NIGHT
Morgan Wallen - DAYLIGHT
David Kushner - FLOWERS
Miley Cyrus - KILL BILL
SZA - CALM DOWN
Rema And Selena Gomez - DIE FOR YOU (REMIX)
The Weeknd And Ariana Grande - KARMA
Taylor Swift feat. Ice Spice - BOY'S A LIAR PT. 2
PinkPantheress And Ice Spice
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
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 Problem
