Killer Hill – Frozen Head
Release Date: 3rd December 2021
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Alt Rock, Alternative Metal, Thrash.
FFO: Municipal Waste, Helmet, Guzzard.
Review By: Jordan Burton-Morris
Based in Los Angeles and New York, Killer Hill is a new trio featuring two members of Helmet – guitarist/vocalist Dan Beeman and bassist Dave Case – along with drummer Pete Beeman whose resumé includes Amphetamine Reptile greats Guzzard. Here is their debut EP, Frozen Head, available digitally from the 3rd of December!
There are six tracks here, and I will waste no time in getting into opener Trash. It slowly fades in, with a sound that reminds me of early Metallica. Then they come through with this insane pace! You barely get anytime to digest between the vocals and the solo interludes! The chorus kicks in, and it’s half pace, sounds almost Mastodon like, but not as full. The guitar and bass tone is very nice. The impression I get here is that their sound is that of Mastodon’s and Municipal Waste’s lovechild. And it rocks!
The title track is up next, a funky drum pattern accompanies this one. There is heavy distortion on the vocals, which is a little bit of a shame as I really like the voice, but that’s their style, so fair enough. There is a bit of a breakdown in the middle, where the drummer goes crazy, almost like that part on Metallica’s one (yes, that part). The guitars here sound great and full.
Laser Head Removal is the shortest track by far, at around a minute and a half. This is a funky instrumental, rather unlike the rest of the EP, but I love it. The harmonies, the erratic drum pattern. It’s experimental, to say the least.
Bent is quite bass lead, especially in the beginning, and the pace is ridiculous! This track is the one that has been released already over on their Bandcamp page. The vocals are less distorted here, which is really nice, and the solo just comes flying in out of nowhere! An insane show of thrash skills! The outro section is a little repetitive, but the lead guitar changes it up.
Penultimate track Bullshit Mountain is the longest here. Clocking in at five and a half minutes, it has potential to be quite good. The first line of the verse draws you in, everything sounds amazing, and it’s dramatic. I must give it to Pete Beeman, he is a very virtuosic drummer (if that’s the right term) and is always delivering something to listen out for behind the kit. There’s a very nice melodic section towards the end, for which the drums are barely present, and the guitar delivers a melodic yet skilful solo. It’s quite a nice, calm end to this one.
Finally, we have closer Re Entry, which comes in strong, with the pounding drums and thunderous bassline, accompanied nicely by the heavy riffs. The vocal lines are short, sweet and effective. The chorus calms down to something slightly more melodic, which is an enjoyable contrast. Then it gets strong and heavy again, with an impressive vocal harmony, before the solo kicks in. A very impressive melodic solo here, probably my favourite solo off the EP!
Overall, a very solid EP, especially as a debut! I personally find the vocals too distorted at times, and certain parts sound off-key, but that might just be their style. Some very good solos and guitar work, amazing drummer and great basslines. I look forward to hearing what this band does next!
(3.5 / 5)
