EGL Magazine
EGL Magazine
Exclusively Gothic Lifestyle
2 September 2011
Kitty in a Casket: Back to Thrill Review
Austrian horrorbilly band, Kitty in a Casket, have released their latest and much anticipated album, 'Back to Thrill'. This is the band's third release, preceeded by the album 'Horror Express' (2008) and EP 'Hallo-Wien' (2009).
Formed in 2008 by vocalist Kitty Casket and guitarist Billy the Bat, they added German double-bass player Slappin’ Suspender at the end of 2009 and completed the current line-up earlier this year with Scott “The Hitman” Noben (all the way from Portland, Oregon) on drums.
Kitty in a Casket tour constantly throughout Europe and are a favourite at many of the big European festivals including Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2010 and Belgium's Fiesta du Rock.
If 'Horror Express' was Kitty in a Casket playing at your high school prom, then 'Back to Thrill' is their performance at your university graduation. The cat's grown up. They're still delivering their energetic and addictive rockabilly hits, but the energy is more focussed, it's channelled into the music. It's slicker, more complex, and more sure of itself. The years of gigging across Europe have certainly allowed the band to refine their sound and truly concrete their identity as one of the best rockabilly groups around.
The album kicks off with the opening guitar riff of 'Midnight Thrill-Ride', and if you're a KIAC fan, you'll already notice the difference. The opening holds back, building the song piece by piece rather than throwing itself in at the deep end. Kitty croons her way through the track; bringing listeners in to her rather than punching them in the face with full-force vocals. Her natural exuberance and flamboyancy remains, it wouldn't be KIAC without it, but she doesn't need to throw it out there anymore.
This album also sees the inclusion of their first German-language track; 'Blutsauger' (Bloodsucker). It's a brave choice, another testament to their new-found confidence, and it works brilliantly. But don't be mistaken into thinking this is even in the same ballpark as bands like Rammstein; the German words don't pull it into the depths of gothic darkness, in fact it makes it a little more lighthearted. KIAC pull inspiration from horror stories, creating tracks that sound like a homage to the old B-Movie classics, and as we increasingly seek out foreign-language horror movies it doesn't sound at all out of place.
The album has also brought in some collaborating artists, the brilliantly titled 'Shake Your Bones' (with a staccato bass-line that sounds nothing short of a rattling ribcage) sees the addition of The Brains' Rene D la Muerte on both vocals and guitar and the melodic, romantic 'Caught in a Dream' brings in Lucas Fendrich on joint vocals.
'Back to Thrill' is a must for both die-hard Kitty in a Casket fans and new listeners alike. Its highly addictive rockabilly beats are filled with energy and vitality, and if this becomes your first KIAC album, make sure you seek out the other two releases. What can I say? I'm a huge fan of this band and 'Back to Thrill' is a sign that they are ready to really make their mark.
Article Written By...
Keller is EGL Magazine's editor. She has a degree in Writing which includes Journalism. She loves punk and rockabilly, roller derby, and creepy foreign horror movies.
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