IKILLYA, "RECON" ALBUM REVIEW!

- ATTENTION RECORD LABELS: For a limited time only! SIGN THIS BAND! -
First, let me begin by saying that I am biased. I am really good friends with this band, so I am going to try to be as objective as humanly possible when writing about them. I think IKILLYA is one of the few bands composing metal in an original way, while still being able to create 'songs.' This is about as progressive as you can get without calling yourself a 'progressive' band. They've got serious groove, serious brutality and melody that is intelligent from front to back. Check out the player below to listen while you read and you can grade my level of bias at the end.

Now for the band's debut release, "RECON." From the very beginning, the talent is apparent with Mansa Gory's trumpet / trombone performance in "At My Signal." This is not only a great display of diversity for a metal band but also a great start to the militaristic theme of the band. The intro is 39 seconds long, and just enough to set the tone for the first song on the album.

IKILLYA wastes no time in jumping into the brutality here. Crowd response required, "...And Hell Followed With Him" is a great depiction of the progressions you can expect throughout the album. For me, this song embodies the essence of what IKILLYA is, "If I wasn't meant to fly, then why do I have these wings?"

"E.H.R." is such a great song. This one really showcases the future of IKILLYA. The history of the band is one of a rotating door for guitarists. (I lost count at 40). Dave Kerr is amazing and the way he moves in this song is more than just impressive, it's masterful. This is not to say the song only comes together because of him; Mansa's bass playing is awesome and it's a really vocal featured song. It's just a great song to recognize what this guy brings to the band.

"Razorblades" is probably my second favorite song by IKILLYA. From brutality, to melody, to lyrics, to musicianship, this song is incredible. Almost like a tribute to all the bands that influence these guys, there are elements of all them, and with the touch of the future IKILLYA delivers a really unique and inspirational piece that I really love.

"Godsize" is without a doubt the crowd favorite. I think the band will disagree with me, but the response when they perform it live is unmatched. Personally, I want to hurt people when this song comes on my MP3 player... by the way sorry granny on the subway this morning. The bass on this song is really brutal and I think you need a decent stereo system to fully appreciate the depth of it.

"LifesBlood" is just... awesome. Another baby kicking good piece. This one is a little more straight forward in concept until the guitar solo about mid-way through where Dave reminds you you're listening to IKILLYA. This is followed by a cool little bass breakdown and then drives you till the end. It's a fun piece.

"Bombs Away" is another one of my favorite IKILLYA songs. This returns you to the creativity and progressive nature of the band with an increased level of heaviness that only these guys can pull off successfully. Once again, Dave slays you with a face melting solo. Really, this song catapults him into rafters as one of the best guitar players I know of, period. The bass is no less masterful with non-stop movement, while holding it down in a one guitar band. Lyrically and vocally, "Bombs Away" is my favorite song on the album. It showcases Jason Lekberg's signature style of "yell-scream-sing all-in-one package. The range of screams goes from top to bottom and the same goes for the singing. All around, this song is just perfect.

"Escape Plan" is a great song to see live, and spill your drink on whoever your standing next to. Luckily for IKILLYA, that intensity carried over to the album and I'm really happy about it. This song starts off straight forward, but don't be deceived by its shiny exterior, there's a resolution to the chorus that makes me want to put my fist in the air wherever I am and I'm sure you will too. The song goes from brutal to epic really fast. You'll see what I mean...

"Jet Fuel Genetic" is hands down my favorite IKILLYA song. I think they picked wisely ending on such a strong note. For years I've heard people from the audience yell out, "Jet Fuel Genetic" in response to Lekberg asking the audience what they want to hear next. This is a song I have known in several variations over the years and though I have not always transitioned well with it as a listener, this version has grown on me in a way I did not expect. The progressive nature of the song appeals to me as a musician... the lyrics appeal to me as a human being... and the composition of the song leaves nothing to be desired, fulfilling everything you want out of a great song from any metal band. But this is not just any metal band... this is IKILLYA.

In all, the production on IKILLYA's, "RECON" is above and beyond what anyone would expect to come out of a local NYC metal band. With two time Grammy award nominated Josh Wilbur at the helm, it's got all the power and depth to show a lot of signed bands that there are eyes on their backs... and you don't want those eyes to be those from members of a band named, IKILLYA!

I'm giving "RECON" four and a half stars. If all the signed metal bands in the world were making music half as good as IKILLYA, they would still be four times better. What? "I'm not good at add." Let's try that again: IKILLYA's, "RECON" is a masterpiece that shows you don't have to be a band with a million dollars to make a record... just a band with good songs, amazing players, and the perseverance to drive the dream home.

SkullsNBones Rating:
SkullsNBones Album Rating Star