They say that thirteen is unlucky for some, but try telling that to Canadian quartet Kittie as they rise from the embers, ready to reclaim their well-deserved place at the very top of metal’s elite with their new studio album, Fire.
Considered part of the nu-metal movement back in the late nineties, Kittie started to evolve into a darker entity. Just as they were hitting their stride, they seemed to fade into oblivion, with their silence presumed by many to be a permanent hiatus. This was briefly broken in 2017 with a one-off home show and then the following year with a documentary, providing a glimmer of hope that they would return. Well, they have certainly delivered on that.
The album’s title track, “Fire”, contains that wave of nostalgia but alongside it a musical maturity that is delivered with razor-sharp precision, setting up a great backdrop for the rest of the release. As the bass and riffs dominate the aptly named “I Still Wear This Crown”, the wait has been more than worthwhile. It should be noted that by this point, I’ve stopped to pre-order a physical copy.
Showing no signs of slowing down, “Falter” has some nicely placed harmonics, making it one of the album’s anthemic pieces. This is then complemented by one of the harsher tracks, “Vultures”, with some particularly noteworthy soundscapes.
If you like what we do, consider ing us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
The highlight track arrives in the form of “We Are Shadows”, which really showcases how Kittie has evolved in songwriting, arranging, lyrical content, and vocal melodies. To firmly usher in this new era, they casually throw out “Wound”, which has some great guitar pieces.
“One Foot in the Grave” is hands down going to be a festival favorite with its well-placed elements, while “Are You Entertained” soaks up the atmosphere like a sponge—albeit a sponge with some spiky bits.
The album concludes with the dominating presence of “Grime” and ends with what was the first single of the album, “Eyes Wide Open”, which is a great closer as it immediately leaves the listener wanting more – or at the very least hitting repeat.
World tour next, please.
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
Fire is released on 21st June
Check out all the bands we review in 2024 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!
Kittie: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | spotify | youtube
