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KILL CITY
Darker Days

Doc Gator (2024)
Rating: 7.5/10

These Ecuadorian rockers are one of the most prolific acts on the scene having just issued their third full-length experience since forming on 2019. With Kill City you get straight up, high energy, heavy metal that’s fluid, crisp, melodic and memorable. Vocalist Chemel Neme has a very clear style that’s not necessarily flashy or even distinctive, but it’s a driving force within the framework.

Opener ‘Fear No One’ begins like a rockier Anthrax before unravelling as an honest heavy rock anthem with a soaring chorus and punchy drums provided by Luis Neme. ‘Scream In Silence’, which is one of my favourite songs on the album, begins with an extreme metal tint as if the band is considering some sort of icy black death passage before a melodic jog takes over. There’s a gothic air about that intro but then it’s just full on crisp rockin’ accompanied by a neat solo.

Axe men Xavier Diab and Juan Iturralde do such a fine job with the metallic aura of the record, particularly on songs like ‘Speak Of The Devil’ with its funky flavour, ‘Bitter Smile’ and simmering slow burner ‘House In The Sky’. Throughout this opus there is such a warm presence, even with the strutting snaps from the bass of Andres Miranda. I guess it’s no real surprise for the band to exude such chemistry because there of the members did work together in power metal act Black Sun. Even so, Darker Days is a gem I’d recommend to anyone whose penchant is for heavy metal of varying shades.

Neil Arnold

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