KILLER BE KILLED: Reluctant Hero (THRASH): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

What do The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon, Soulfly and Converge have in common? They are four mythical metal bands ! Certainly, but more importantly, since 2011, these four bands have merged to form a new super-group called Killer Be Killed. We thus find Greg Puciato, Troy Sanders, Max Cavalera and Ben Koller in the form of a new explosive quartet. Add Josh Wilbur to the production (Gojira, Lamb Of God, Megadeth) and we have a great team.

The musicians have released a debut eponymous album in 2014 that was a big hit with metal fans. The experience pleased our four friends who then decide to go back to the studio, trying to find the best timing to release a new opus, as their schedule is so full to the brim. That's how "Reluctant Hero", their second album, was released in November.

The cover of this new opus presents an old statue soiled by the weight of years and one would think to recognize the paw of Katatonia through this visual identity. Yet, musically, we are really in a mix of sludge, thrash and overpowering groove metal.

The first seconds of 'Deconstructing Self-Deconstruction' announce the color. Mastodon's paw is immediately apparent with Troy Sanders' vocals and his particular timbre. There is also a beautiful complementarity between the singers, Sanders, Cavalera and Puciato sharing this role in turn, each in their own register but always with brilliance. The accent is put on a detonating riff, reminiscent of Gojira, with a super punchy drum set.

As much to say it right away, this album is brutal and direct. Even if the clean vocals occupy a relatively important place throughout the disc, its raspy character sticks well with the music, very rough, both in a rather melodic register ('Dream Gone Bad') and much more violent ('Filthy Vagabond' which glances at the side of the punk). The riffs are not necessarily very technical, but the interpretation is impeccable, the groovy dimension of the guitars being at the heart of the writing.

We will find beautiful hooks by moments, like the very good chorus of 'Dead Limbs' or the super massive riff of the verses of 'Comfort From Nothing'. The production of Josh Wilbur highlights perfectly the abrasive character of the compositions, their power, and also the very rough side of a music without artifice. 'From A Crowded Wound' takes the time to build a more progressive atmosphere to reveal its full potential. Some tracks marry the explosive cocktail of the combo with more atmospheric influences such as 'The Great Purge' which could remind Alice In Chains, and develops more pure and floating melodies in the middle of the track. But it is especially the final eponymous track that surprises: 'Reluctant Hero' start with a clear and calm vocals on the introduction, then rises crescendo as the minutes go by, ending with a final that is just as melodic.

"Reluctant Hero" is thus a complete album, very direct and raw in its approach, which manages to highlight the characteristics and qualities of each of its members for a successful result. - Official website

KILLER BE KILLED

RELUCTANT HERO

NUCLEAR BLAST

THRASH