Album review: Thrillkiller—San Francisco Moto (2018)

Album cover

Surprise, everyone—I'm back! Did you miss me? Probably not. At any rate, here I am, back again after a long six months, writing reviews that no one will see. But that's OK, because I like writing them!

For the few of you that have been loyal and do read my reviews, then you know that one of my favorites to talk about is Thrillkiller, from Baltimore. Their music is such a breath of fresh air in a scene that oftentimes paints itself into a corner or pigeonholes itself once they latch on to a particular sound.

Finding a particular sound is something Thrillkiller has done, and done well. Taking sounds from ’80s pop and funk, mixing it in with the high energy of guitar-based classic rock, and putting 21st century swagger on top, Thrillkiller's multi-faceted sound harkens back to the days when MTV ruled the world; yet never sounding dated or gimmicky, which is no easy feat for any band specializing in throwback sounds.

It is a fine line between paying homage and becoming a novelty act, but Thrillkiller does this balancing act so effortlessly, it feels as if they jumped into the time-traveling DeLorean, brought back everything good from the ’80s, and gave it a revved-up modern gloss. The proof of this starts from the get-go with the opening track, “Theme of Rex Razor”, a short instrumental piece centered around those vibrant, futuristic-sounding synths, coupled with that bluesy guitar sound that is smoldering yet smooth at the same time.

The second song is one that readers may already be familiar with, as it was the first single from San Francisco Moto, released nearly a year ago, and a song I reviewed here: “The King of 1984”, a tune I cannot say enough about because it so perfectly encompasses all of the descriptions I have given this far of the band's music. It's a catchy pop-inspired earworm that can give some of the best ’80s jams a run for their money, while also a hard-rockin’, fist-pumping rock anthem that makes you want to bust out your lighters and raise them high into the air.

The second single and EP title track continues more on a similar theme with the funky bass, soulful guitars, and fiery vocals; but “San Francisco Moto” takes a different turn by adding some sultry sax and a danceable beat. If I had to describe it, to me it is as if the 1980s versions of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie got together to create the perfect rock song that you can groove to at the same time. It's got that same jazzy disco vibe, while giving us those poppy melodies that “burn rubber” in your brain long after the song has finished.

For all their funk/dance/pop influences, Thrillkiller is still a hard rock/heavy metal band at heart, and they make sure you don't forget it. “Last Horizon”, the EP's penultimate track, is Thrillkiller's heavier side at its finest, with that menacing interplay between Maxim's guitars and Rob's vocals, which always makes me feel like I am listening to the soundtrack to a spy movie or an action thriller.

The EP closer, “Wicked Rhythm”, is a blend of both sides of Thrillkiller: the rock side with the R&B side, and it is catchy as hell. It sounds like a cross between their songs “Passion Killer”, and “In Too Deep” (a song I proclaimed to love so much that I said I would marry it if I could!). Again, I am reminded of a movie scene: this time, it would be during one of those scenes where the main character is strutting down the street after taking down some bad guys, or trying to impress a girl. This hybrid of the band's different influences makes for a perfect way to close out this EP.

What I love about Thrillkiller is that their music is so much fun! It is music you can clap along with and stomp your feet to, and maybe even dance, if you are able. It's got sing-along verses and choruses, and hooks that stick in your head. Thrillkiller has taken everything memorable that we still love about the ’80s, scrapped everything that we now consider cheesy and over-the-top, and crafted their own unique take on those classic sounds with their own modern style. San Francisco Moto is only a 5-song EP, but it is chock-full of different sounds ranging from rock to synthpop to dance. The band has had somewhat of a revolving door of drummers throughout their short time together as a band, but the core foundation of Rob and Maxim, joined with Sebastian, is still solid and has not lost any footing throughout those changes. Quite the contrary, in fact: Thrillkiller keeps getting better and stronger as they move forward, paying tribute at the toll road of the past as they burn rubber on the fast track into a bright future.

Band photo

Visit the band's official website.

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Special thanks to Rob Bradley.

All photos provided courtesy of Thrillkiller.

Hump Day Hot Ticket: Thrillkiller “The King of 1984”

Photo credit: Brent Seward

For those of us old enough to remember, do you recall the days when a new music video was a social event? How you and your friends talked about it at school all week, and then gathered together at the nearest television with access to MTV to watch the “world premiere”? How many of us who grew up in that time would listen to a song and dream up what that music video would look like, and then were let down whenever the video looked nothing at all the way you had imagined? How many times have we held a crystallized image of the perfect music video in our minds, and only hoped that someday, what we saw in our heads would come to life on the screen?

Because now, someone has made such a video, and it is Thrillkiller's latest tune, “The King of 1984”. With a title like that, it immediately conjures up certain imagery, and at least for me, I can finally see a music video play out almost exactly how I pictured it to be. From the moment those synths open up the track, a rush of ’80s nostalgia hits all the sweet spots in your brain, and you are transported back to a simpler time when Aqua Net could solve any problem, and a man could wear hot-pink spandex, purple eyeshadow and blue eyeliner, yet still be considered a hunk of red-blooded masculinity.

From the start, the video for “The King of 1984” fits right in with all that ’80s aesthetic; even the opening credits are in that space-age, futuristic-looking font that was used in nearly every sci-fi movie back then. As soon as vocalist Rob Bradley makes his entrance wearing a red leather jacket, it is a throwback to the classic Michael Jackson videos from the era, and as the video progresses, the references don't stop there. 

As Rob makes his way into a dim, smoky bar, we meet other characters that could very easily time-warp back to 1984 and look as though they belong there. We see punk rock girls dressed in black with closely-cropped hair; guys wearing skintight one-piece jumpsuits, big sunglasses, and an outfit that looks like a space suit designed by the Village People. It's so damn fabulous, and we aren't even a minute into the video yet.

While alternating with onstage shots of the band, we start getting into the video's concept, which in itself is a complete homage to ’80s videos. Looking like a cross between the “Beat It” video and Mad Max, the basic premise is of a bar fight gone bad...but there is much more to it than that! While Rob is chilling at the bar and minding his business, a cute blonde decides to buy him a drink. We also see that she hasn't been the only one in the bar who has been eyeing him; no sooner than another girl pulls the blonde away than the other guys in the bar (played by the other members of Thrillkiller)—including the space-age Village People guy, credited as the motorcycle punk—start to crowd around him.

Then as the funky bass solo begins, all hell breaks loose! Fists fly, bottles are broken...Rob manages to get a breather long enough to have another drink, and then back to fighting. As he delivers the final blow that leaves the motorcycle punk on his back, Rob yanks the sunglasses off his face, kisses the blonde, and struts out into the street, where the ultimate ’80s ride is waiting for him: a DeLorean, of course!

As Rob revs up and races off, the motorcycle punk is hot on his trail, and an epic chase begins. At this point, the video is pure tribute to Back to the Future (Easter egg: try reading the car's license plate!), and on a more subtle level, to Kung Fury (i.e., the greatest short film of the 21st century). As the motorcycle punk moves closer, Rob puts the pedal to the metal and gives us one last ’80s reference for the ages.

I have seen the future, and it is 1984.

For more information on Thrillkiller, visit their official website.

Hump Day Hot Ticket: Thrillkiller “A Reason”

Thrillkiller band photo

So unless you are new to this place or have been ignoring the majority of my posts, you probably know by now that I fuckin' love Thrillkiller. I would go as far as to say that they're not just one of my favorite new bands of the past year—they are my favorite new band of the year. If you haven't read my review of the band's new album, Showdown, then this video review is a good time to get acquainted with this amazingly talented band.

Mixing elements of rock, metal, pop, and just about any other genre you can think of, Thrillkiller has hit potential written all over them. Honestly, why their music isn't all over the radio aiwaves already is just indicative of what a screw-job the music “industry” really is. If the business was truly about showcasing new talent, Thrillkiller would be at the top of the charts by now. Seriously, they're that good. I don't say that about a lot of bands. But of all the countless bands I come across on a regular basis had the most potential to cross over to mainstream success, I would say Thrillkiller is that band. Barely out the gate, and they're already primed for mega-stardom. Too bad everyone is too busy looking in the wrong places for the next big breakout stars, when all you have to do is look towards Baltimore and go to the next Thrillkiller gig. You'd hear it for yourself.

You don't live close to Baltimore? Not to worry, I've got you covered. You can start here by listening to “A Reason”, which has been made into a very nice-looking lyric video. I have seen some lyric videos from more “established” bands that don't look nearly as well put-together. The quality that Thrillkiller puts into not only their music, but everything they do, only shows how professional they are, and if opportunity did come knocking, they would be more than ready to answer the door.

For more information on Thrillkiller, or to view tour dates to see when they are coming to your area, visit the band's Facebook page or their official website.

Album review: Thrillkiller—Showdown (2016)

Showdown album cover

Album: Showdown

Artist: Thrillkiller

Genre: Pop-metal/hard rock

Tracks: 10

Total time: 39:58

Continuing to progress at rate so fast that you wonder if these guys are super-human beings, in less than a year's time, Baltimore's Thrillkiller has already released an EP, and now their first full-length album is dropping like an atom bomb on the world of music, determined to obliterate the competition until there is nothing left.

With the addition of Sebastian Ochoa and Boma Jack (the latter joining after the album was made; so drums on Showdown are courtesy of Matt Bittman), Thrillkiller now has a lineup to round out their sound and continue making good on the promise that was so evident on the Time EP. The band's core members, Rob Bradley and Maxim Sobchenko, are still present and have added 6 more songs to the ones we remember from Time. Not only does Showdown follow up on the promise that Time hinted at, but completely doubles-down and ups the ante to dizzying heights.

“Passion Killer”: Just as on Time, this is Showdown's opening track, and why fix it if it ain't broken? This is a quintessential opening track, complete with tasty guitar licks, a toe-tappingly satisfying rhythm section, and a hooky chorus that is sure to get you up and moving. This is a perfect track to set up the rest of the album, so buckle up and rock out!

“Showdown”: Goddamn, this track is so sexy, for lack of a better word. It's got this groove to it with a gritty edge, and then along comes a smooth, seductive solo courtesy of a saxophone! That's right, you read that correctly: a saxophone. Thrillkiller manages to take a saxophone and make it sound completely at home in a hard rock song, something that many bands have tried but very few have pulled off with more panache.

“The Storm”: Another track where Maxim shows off his mad riffing skills. Like I said before, this song sounds like something that would be in a James Bond movie or some sort of action/mystery film. It's got this churning cadence to it that invokes feelings of suspense or tension, along with dramatic vocal flair that keeps things interesting, and a guitar solo that is so smokin' that you'd better keep a fire extinguisher nearby!

“Living in Infamy”: Now here is a song that has that zip to it that makes you want to snap your fingers and bob your head (or headbang really hard, depending on how you prefer to express yourself). Everything on this track is a hook: the verses, the chorus, the music; every part of this song is designed for one purpose: to be a complete earworm that sticks in your head for as long as humanly possible.

“The Fever”: This song is so hypnotic, it just pulls you in and before you realize what has happened, you're completely hooked by the time the mantra-like chorus wraps itself around your soul.

“A Reason”: A touch of power metal melody and electronic-pop smoothness, I can see this being a favorite among many. It's already a favorite for me. The song is intense without being heavy or fast; it's mellow without being complacent or predictable. Maxim gets in touch with his prog side on the solo, and Rob's voice sounds huge without taking up all the spotlight. This would be a perfect choice for a single; it's not too in-your-face with the heaviness, nor is it so poppy that rock fans would be turned off.

“The Believer”: Thrillkiller is revisiting their metal roots a little with this one, which is just fine with me. Rob is spitting his vocals out so fast that it almost sounds like he's rapping, which is an awesome contrast to his high notes. If there are mosh pits at Thrillkiller shows, it might be a good time to start one when this tune starts playing.

“In Too Deep”: This song is my jam. I said it. Seriously, I fucking love this song. I would marry it if I could. This song has hooked me from the start and I still love it. I still turn it up whenever I hear it, and it still gets stuck in my head instantly every time I hear it.

“Time”: This is another song that I can see being a huge hit at live shows; it's perfect for a crowd sing-along or a show closer. Just listening to it makes you want to pump your fist in the air and headbang your ass off. Another song that is so fucking catchy that it's going to stay with you long after you've stopped listening to it.

“A Social Disease”: This is where Thrillkiller pulls out all the stops and reminds everyone that for all their pop/jazz/blues/funk influences, they are still a rock/metal band at heart and are going to make sure you remember it before this album is over. A fast-paced song with a lot of kick to it, and then a guitar solo that almost sounds like it came out of a surfing movie! As a native Southern Californian, I can definitely appreciate that. And holy shit, those piercing high notes Rob hits towards the end of the song are positively epic. What a perfect closing track!

Overall opinion: Pick your musical poison, and Thrillkiller taps into it in ways you don't expect. Combining elements of ’80s AOR, hard rock and metal, along with pop, blues, funk, and R&B; Thrillkiller is putting it all together with finesse. For being in existence for less than a year, they already sound better put-together than a lot of bands out there who have been at it for years. Very few bands come charging out of the gate sounding so fully evolved, so if this is what Thrillkiller is capable of on their first time out, then we can expect to hear even better things from them. As someone who listens to a lot of music (both signed and independent), I would put Showdown up there with some of the signed acts who put out great albums this year. I would even go as far as to say that Thrillkiller would positively bury some of those bands! Not only does Thrillkiller possess high-caliber musical talent, but they have high quality standards as well. This is no hastily put-together demo with a couple of promising ideas that peep through. You can tell that Thrillkiller is a band that puts their best foot forward in all they do, and you aren't going to hear anything from them that isn't their best work. This is one of the best debut albums I've heard in a while, if not the best debut I've heard this year. At any rate, Thrillkiller definitely gets my pick as the best new band of 2016.

Thrillkiller band photo

For more information on Thrillkiller, visit their official website.

Special thanks to Rob Bradley and Maxim Sobchenko.

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