It's not everyday you come upon a band like North London's six piece ensemble Sikth. On one hand, Sikth wear their influences on their sleeves-listen carefully and you will hear references to bands like Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Dream Theater, System of a Down, Pantera, Korn, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Steve Vai, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Frank Zappa, and Allan Holdsworth. However, these guys mesh their over-the-top technical metal/prog stew with heaping amounts of melody and memorable arrangements. One listen through all twelve tracks of Death of a Dead Day will leave your jaw hanging on the floor with all the crazy time changes and wacked-out instrumental breaks ("Bland Street Bloom" and "Way Beyond the Fond Old River" being two perfect examples), leaving you to come to the first impression that these guys are all about throwing mind-blowing guitar and drum barrages at the listener and pummeling with their ultra-technical style. Upon further spins though, there's a band that has obviously worked just as hard at crafting catchy harmonies to go along with all the musical mayhem.
The vocals on the CD range from maniacal screams ala Devin Townsend or Jens Kidman from Meshuggah, mixed with some nice melodic clean vocals. The latter is in full force on the soaring, atmospheric number "In This Light", as well as the hook laden rocker "Where Do We Fall?". For the most part though, expect high-octane progressive tinged metal excursions, with plenty of dissonant tones, complex time changes, and manic aggression. Death of a Dead Day won't be for everyone, but if you have an open mind to music that's different, heavy, complex, and highly progressive, give this a few spins and see what you think. I have a feeling you won't be disappointed.
Track Listing
1. Bland Street Bloom
2. Flogging The Horses
3. Way Beyond The Fond Old River
4. Summer Rain
5. In This Light
6. Sanguine Seas Of Bigotry
7. Mermaid Slur
8. When The Moments Gone
9. Part Of The Friction
10. Where Do We Fall
11. Another Sinking Ship
12. As The Earth Spins Round
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