Novakill – Head On (Digital EP – RepoRecords)
Genre/Influences: EBM.
Background/Info: The Australian duo Novakill struck back earlier this year with their new album “Danger”, which also was the first opus in 7 years. The title song of this EP was originally released on the album. Next to the album version, this EP reveals a ‘reconstructed’ version and two new songs.
Content: “Head On” wasn’t my personal favorite song on the album although it remains a cool EBM song recovered with dark, buzzing synths and typical ‘body-music vibes’. I don’t notice that much differences between the original- and alternative mix, which both remind me of the 90s EBM spirit.
The new songs are nothing more than B-side cuts. We first get a more electro-industrial experiment while the other cut is more moody and revealing dark string parts and a few spoken samplings. Both cuts are instrumentals.
+ + + : Novakill is not exactly the most famous and popular EBM name, but that’s maybe because they aren’t that known in Europe. They however deal with a somewhat ‘old-styled’ inspiration resulting in an efficient sound. “Head On” is a kicking song in the genre. I especially like the dark element running through their work.
– – – : You can always discuss the choice of a title song and speaking for myself I remember more efficient album songs then “Head On”. I’m not disappointed with this track, but I especially expected a bit more out of the new songs, which clearly sounds like release-fillers. Remixes by other groups would have been a better option here.
Conclusion: This EP features a cool title song, but unfortunately less interesting B-side cuts. If you don’t know the last album of Novakill, the song “Head On” will maybe convince you to put your hands on it.
Best songs: “Head On”.
Rate: (6½).
Band: www.novakill.com / www.facebook.com/NOVAkILL-129543637093255
Label: www.reporecords.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Repo–Records/119590774857404
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
