DRUMS OF DEATH - "Generation Hexed"

Drums Of Death could be so much more, this becomes apparent on this ambitious yet rather yawnsome debut LP. The image, the name and most of the time, the beats, are all present. But the promised personality and originality fails to materialize. From a guy dressed in skull make up calling himself Drums Of Death, you expect demented dance music with horror movie soundtrack twists. Or a disgustingly good noise/dance musical hybrid. Instead you get songs that have good jumpy paces and dance floor ready beats, but it feels like you've heard it all before. The vocals on the tracks also don't really bring much to the table; with a lack of any personality they kind of just meander over the pumping beats. The standout track, that sounds just like what Drums Of Death sound like they should sound like is "Creak". It's sinister throbs and skittering 8-bit tinkles make it equally chilling and thrilling.  It's also complete with some weird chanting in the background and triumphant kick drums. Transporting you to a dance floor full of dead dudes. Download that song, even if you don't buy the whole album. "Karaoke" is a great opener to an album with its chopped up melodic moans, and it flows beautifully into "Science & Reason" which gets the party started. It's the definite highlight of the vocal led tracks. It has a similar feel to "Tenderoni" by Kele. Sadly, the record goes downhill from that point. The charts and modern pop music is littered with beats from dance origins, some people flip dance music on it's head and create something mental and different. And if anyone is going to do this, surely it should be Drums Of Death? Maybe it's expecting too much of the poor dude, he has made a good album. No doubt, when it's played loud it'll kick off club nights everywhere. Be warned however, if you are looking for something different, but dancey and electronic at the same time then go flail your limbs to Hudson Mohawke or Flying Lotus. Drums Of Death has the tendency to bore you to death, unless you love cheap and cheerful dance bangers. Maybe he wasn't trying to do anything different, but it feels like he should and more importantly could.


RATING:   P P



TRACK LISTING

1) Karaoke
2) Science & Reason
3) Won't Be Long
4) Lonely Days
5) Creak
6) Everything All At Once
7) All These Plans
8) Modern Age
9) London Teeth
10) Voodoo Lovers


STAND OUT TRACKS: "Creak"   "Karaoke"   "Science & Reason"

RELEASED: 2010


LIKE THIS ALBUM? TRY THIS ALBUM!

KELE - "The Boxer"
This album shares a similar desire to achieve dance floor appeal with the same simple yet effective dance beats. Kele's arresting croon accompanies the sweaty beats perfectly.



Photography and words by Jack Parker for Power Chord Music Blog. Drums Of Death photograph taken from google. Nice one bro.