Artist: Sleigh Bells
Album: Reign of Terror
Label: Mom + Pop
Released: 21 February 2012
Genre: Noise Pop
“Fuck everybody, our new record is influenced by Def Leppard”. A quote such as this not only suggests a band that is comfortable with their sound, but a band that has attitude and isn’t afraid to use it. This quote comes from Sleigh Bells in reference to their latest album Reign of Terror, which was released on the Mom + Pop label on February the 21st.
I had never heard of Sleigh Bells before this week, nor did I know what to expect from their album. With a title such as Reign of Terror, and with an album cover showing a bloody pair of shoes, I was expecting a genre along the lines of metal. Reign of Terror in reality is no where near as mean and gritty as its title suggests but it does make me feel a little hard-core.
This second album from Sleigh bells pays hommage to hair metal, with stadium crushing sounds and big chunky guitar riffs dominating the texture. For me, this is a refreshing sound, and one we don’t hear that much of in mainstream indie, pop or alternative music these days. It makes your everyday average indie band sound shy and reserved. Sleigh Bells certainly have something to say, and they say it loud!
I find their blend of beats, close female harmonies and guitar riffs in soaring parallel thirds reminiscent of the late 80s/early 90s, and for me, that makes me smile. It sounds familiar yet somehow futuristic, and quite possibly the soundtrack that will be accompanying some kind of future apocalypse. Their track End of the Line goes down the power-ballad path and the track You Lost Me has the most exquisite opening harmonies.
Reign of Terror is not a quiet, intimate journey into the soul of an artist. It’s big, bold and full of attitude.
I give it 4 out of 5 kisses.
Written by Amy Bastow for the Kiss My Arts Show on Joy 94.9 – All opinions are mine. Copyright 2012.