Death Of A Dead Day Review

Release Date: Jun 6, 2006
Label: Bieler Bros.
Genres: Progressive Metal
Number Of Tracks: 12
The last few years have seen the North London six-piece building an international reputation as a cutting edge collective with a unique approach to their craft, both lyrically and musically.

Sound:	10
Lyrics:	9.5
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.8
Users rating:	9.9
Comments:	14

overall: 10

Featured review by: sikth_skippy, on july 25, 2006

Sound: Holy crap! Thats the best way to describe this cd the first time you listen to it, and the second time, and the thir. Having owned and worshipped the first album The Trees are Dead and Dried Out Wait for Something Wild for some time, I kind of knew what to expect in the musical side of things but to be honest I was blown away. As a guitarist I could listen to the 1st album and sort of figure out what was at least going on. Not this time! They are described as metal by most but that doesn't cover it, not by a mile. There are so many influences that it would be a waste of time to try and list them all. The technicality of every instrument in ever song is mindblowing and to just about everyone whos heard it, an inspiration to try and improve your own playing. The fact that the two guitarists (Pin and Dan Weller) break out of the strict lead and rhythm roles imposed on most bands is great. They work together to create riffs that sound incomplete when listened to alone, but together rise above anything you have previously heard. The evilness in the heavy-as-fuck riffs (they used seven strings for some of the songs this time), the tapping, the harmony, the solos, are all exceptional. Sometimes providing madness, like on "Another Sinking Ship"), while at others beautifully subtle guitar playing, such as the solo on "In This Light." They always seem to compliment the song and never get in the way or seem out of place.

James Leach plays bass and boy does he play it. On the last album he was part of the heart of the bands sound, whilst also taking his turn in the limelight. On this album he improves greatly (quite a feat) and keeps up with Pin and Dan easily. There's slap, tapping and incredible bass lines, check out the bass break in "As the Earth Spins Round." Although he improves on his playing it is not as obviously apparent as TTADADOWFSW, but this is not a bad thing. He picks his time and takes it. Once again adding to the song, not simply building to 1 riff in particular. Although I am not a drummer I can quite easily say that Dan "Loord" Foord is probably one of the most underrated drummers in the current metal scene. Easily changing time signature to create a more interesting sound, as opposed to the normal 4/4. He provides amazing fills, while at the same time thundering away with the double bass, that is way more apparent than on the previous album. It is a wonder how he can separate what his feet are doing to his arms. The overall sound of the album is quite simply amazing. Going from pure evil madness to the most melodic highs. This is more than likely due to the recording of the album, that was undertaken by Dan Weller and Justin Hill (singer). The mixing has also been done well as you can focus in on any instrument you wish and concentrate entirely on what it is doing with ease as the levels are perfection. If someone wants to hear the most original and diverse music in metal at the moment, this is where they should look. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Like the music, the lyrics of SikTh are also very important and play a great role in the band. Mikee W. Goodman and Justin Hill provide the lyrical assualt that is SikTh. In the previous album they took more obvious roles, Mikee screamed the most, Justin sang the most. This time round, not so. Although it is obvious that Mikee's voice just sounds evil and Justin is one of the best singers you could find in a modern metal band, they do interchange more so than the last album. Justin's scream competes incredibly with Mikee's and Mikee can also sing, when he wishes so. The intertwining of their voices increases the "spastic" sound of the music and gives the songs pace when something might be played at a slower tempo. The lyrics are, unlike some bands, extremely meaningful for SikTh. Mikee (main writer) tackles many issues in this album that cover everything in society today. And refreshingly they take different viewpoints that have been overplayed by many. Bland Street Bloom for example examines the idea (this is my interpretation, don't get all defensive if its wrong) that the world today is afraid of difference within itself and we should all be the same.

Although the lyrics are honest and from the heart, they can also be fairly simple or just nuts. Flogging the Horses, for example, starts with "Flogging the horses, report in the office, camels walking free, while they're drinking honey tea." They do mix up their voices most of the time (quite often finishing each others sentences) but they do get their own chances to shine solo. Justin's turn with "In This Light" is more than likely the most melodic thing SikTh have ever played and despite the lack of tracks like "Can't We All Dream" off the previous album Mikee does enthrall with another poem. "Mermaid Slur" is much shorter than "When Will The Forest Speak" off the previous album but that does not make it any less of an addition to the album. We once again see Mikee showing his great vocal range (yes its a poem I know, but just check it out) and speaking his mind. Overall the vocals are possibly one of the highlights of this album. Hard to say considering I have rated pretty much everything, but they really are. From brutal screams, finishing each others lines to moments of melodic calm, before the storm whips you back again for more. // 10

Impression: To compare this album to others would be unfair as it is so fresh and different. You could really only compare it to their previous effort which broke its own barriers. This simply pushes those barriers even further out of sight. It would also be unfair to pick out the most impressive songs of the album because there are no fillers on here. Every song has been slaved over long and hard and you can hear for yourself how much effort is on show. There really is no bad on this album. Really, I can't. All I could say is that I was pissed that it got released in the UK 20 whole days after America and Japan got it. But thats just pointless grumbling. I love this album to pieces and the only thing that I could imagine topping it would be their next album. But that is years away and this is now. Everyone should go out and buy this purely for research. It may be hard for those who like lighter, more relaxed music to swallow at first due to its sheer brutality but upon every listen it will become more and more enojyable. I think it was thing only thing I listened to for like 4/5 weeks. As a previous listener to SikTh from their 1st album it may seem like I have been incredibly biased. And for someone who hasn't heard the album it would be hard for you to believe me when I say I'm not being biased at all. But it really is the best thing I have ever heard. The originality pours out all over the place. The insane guitar work, the wild and unruly vocal work and the all the rest. It really is a lesson in how to create something truly different in a time when music is struggling to support itself amongst the mass produced crap you see everywhere. This is a must buy for fans of heavier music! // 10

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: Tallman, on august 18, 2008

Sound: SikTh provide many reference points in their sound. At times they'll hit a crazed shuddering groove that could be compared to Meshuggah. Occasionally, a melody will rear its head that could sit brilliantly on a Nick Cave CD. Other times, the madness evens out into a comparatively more straight forward metal idea. Though straight forward is not a phrase that should be used to describe any of this bands work. Crazed contortions of guitar, drum and bass, hammer out endless mazes of riffs, leading you down a sinister, dissonant road before bringing you back with a jaw-breaking groove. Guitars twist and spasm from ugly atonal dirges into moments of sweeping beauty. Rarely, however, does this shapeshifting lunacy feel forced or random. In fact, there is an ever present fluidity and cohesion to these songs. A moment of Dillinger-esque autism can turn into a clean sung chorus, and the song still manages to maintain a sense of symmetry. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: SikTh have two vocalists. Rather than having one singer and a screamer, the vocals here are divided roughly equally. Justin Hill provides the more "normal" side, his pitch perfect croon counterbalanced by a harsh high pitched scream. Mikee Goodman, the dreadlocked figure in all those promo shots, brings something a little more unusual to the plate. As a vocalist, he is extremely skilled. But it is his delivery that sets him apart. Pulling of a remarkable variety of voices, Mikee brings an almost Mike Patton-esque edge to the music. Rage fuelled preachers, melancholic introverts, acid addled freaks; he inhabits these songs with a nameless cast of characters and brings the lyrics to life. Speaking of lyrics, DOADD carries with it a considerable variety of messages. Whilst the main theme of the album is that of mankinds damage to the environment, relationships, that ever reliable literacy staple, are also covered. Mikee presents us with another spoken word piece, his last one being on SikTh's previous album, and it's presence provides a moment of eerie calm amidst a storm of noise. // 9

Impression: People would probably use the word tech to describe a band such as SikTh. Whilst the implications of this word are correct, it drags with it the stereotype of a certain level of soulessness. DOADD has soul in buckets. Beneath its high-tech, sleek exterior, lies something far more primordial. A sense of the ancient. There is an artfulness present that pulls this light years ahead of other metal bands. DOADD fuses new and old, and amidst the chaotic riffing and odd time lunacy, it manages to make room for calm and pathos, never once feeling strangled or rushed. It paints for us a surrealist picture of a world gone to shit, and whilst it's delivery is one of many directions, it's primary message is crystal clear. // 10

Comments

[Cringles]

definatly one of the best albums ive ever heard, sikth are in a league of there own

[Woofamania]

this is fantastic, if anyone manages to get a genre 2 put them under, let me know lol (dont really care bout genres tho lol)

[richwatkinson]

Brilliant review. i was considering buying, now its a definite =] cheers

[jasonkan]

i knew this band wud be big sum day. their first album is like 130thousanth in the amazon sales rank (i neva thought there were so many albums...!) now this one is 11thousanth, its great. however the old album had catchier stuff on.
nevertheless ballbag-loads of talent.~~

[Craigo]

Woah. Best pic kup this album.

Sikth do rule man - but I'd classify them as mathcore myself. The original bass player of Trench Head got me into these - and they are still hige on our lists - no matter how much our music tastes have changed.

[sikth_skippy]

Cheers for the comments guys. Thought it kissed their asses too much but lets be honest. They deserve everything that comes their way.

[Rufiothebandito]

This is my all time favorite band, I actually got their first cd because of the review I read on UG. Theyre so incredibly talented and creative with their song structures its just amazing, and Death of a dead day is pure genius. Its almost discouraging hearing what Pin and Dan have the ability to do with their guitars its definetly inspiring. I really wish more people knew about these guys theyre light years ahead of the rest.
great review

[Anik8]

One of the most brilliant albums ive ever heard...from Bland Street Bloom to The Moments Gone to In This light and Where Do We Fall...kickass band, guitars,drums,vocals,lyrics, its all 5*
Cheers from India !

[Bunyip]

A mate of mine got me on to these guys and at the moment they are my new favourite band ...I have absolutely nothing but praise for the talent these guys have

[huevos]

when i first heard them being labeled as mathcore, i thought it was probably gunna be a DEP rip-off.

i must say that my prejudice was wrong.
they are somewhere in left-field weird of Between the Buried and Me, The Fall of Troy, The Number 12, The Ocean, Intronaut, Aghora, and any other progressive/avant-garde band. at the same time, all the mentioned bands can't really be classified that easily (along with Sikth). they all have a unique and distinguished sound.

as for this album, i've just heard what they have on their myspace. those songs are more than enough, cuz i got find and buy their entire catalog.

[steve_a7x]

amazing band, shame they split up i was mega pissed off, awesome live band too.

[Nintendo_zombie]

Wow, this CD is simply amazing.
I haven't heard the first CD, so this is a totally
unbiased statement, however, now that I've read
comments about the original, I want to buy it so badly.

The music is just so incredible and the vocals are mad.
It's insane music, I think "Bland Street Bloom" is my favorite.
My friend showed me this band and it was the first
song I heard on their MySpace, it's such a shame that
they had to break up.

Hopefully they'll get back together and create
another album such as this. One can only wish.


I saw for fans of Between the Buried and Me and Protest the Hero.
If anyone reads this without listening to either band, be sure to look them up, you won't be disappointed.

[SiKthtallica669]

Summer Rain ... Such a feel.
Favorite is Bland Street Bloom. that song got me liking them.
The day I found out about them, I found they had Broke up.
Do love Scent of the Obscene

[hotrats57]

simply one of the best albums of all time. i love this band so much, i remember loving them the first time i saw them which was b4 the first album 'the trees are dead...' came out. this album blew me away though, just wen u thought they couldn't get any better. such a shame about the bands split tho.