Knifight
V (Knifight Music)“One thing draws us together … the dark.” So looms the spooky sample preceding “A Perfect Way to Die,” which Nickelodeon nerds might recall from Nineties fantasy-horror series Are You Afraid of the Dark? New Wave and goth, the local quintet’s sophomore LP arrives rightfully dark, singer John Gable’s baritone vocals weighting Patrick Marshall’s heavy synth – with song titles fit for a 007 flick. Released on the heels of December’s Good Music Club CD/DVD combo EP, V marks the group’s first full-length recording with live drums. “Broken Feeling” teases danceable synth-pop early on, though its buoyant post-punk bassline proves a temporary reprieve from the disc’s recurrent murk-rock; doomful darkwave cut “Buttons” recalls the frontman’s IDM-noise roots. Lacking amidst its seven songs is the palatable hook of the title track from 2013 predecessor Dark Voices. Most compelling might be closer “Vii,” a slow, industrial tinkering offset with sudden piano. Though not as grabby as its precursor, V marks Knifight’s evolution deeper into the dark.
This article appears in February 20 • 2015.