Looking like a modern day “Motley Crue”, with the lyrical aggression of “Guns & Roses”, LIVING DEAD LIGHTS is one punk-metal group that are charging onto the music scene with “IN YOUR FACE” attitude & raw poetic justice! This Hollywood based band delivers a powerful five-song EP full of conviction…yet, with radio playability. Their song “What Do You Do?” has over two million plays alone on MySpace & their facetious, unapologetic nature is attracting scores of new fans every day. What do they sing about? All the problems facing our youth…insecurity, judgment, hatred, mockery, & oppression. But they do it with an admirable sense of hope & perseverance, & an “OVER THE TOP” energy like no other band has.
Recorded by Bradley Cook (Foo Fighters/Tool), mixed by Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold), & mastered by Eddy Schreyer (Korn/Jane’s Addiction), this album is a pure adrenaline rush from start to finish – with a completely professional sound.
“LIVE & DIE” – The heart-pounding opener for the EP, it’s a surge of rock magnificence. Taka Tamada’s “five-alarm” scream tears deep into your soul, & the song’s ferocious speed shakes your very foundation. I would have to say that this is the song I would most anticipate seeing “LIVE” & was the one that initially got me hooked on the group. Crafty lyrics make one internalize its BOLD sense of rebellious power, & the drum & guitar solos are absolutely riveting. If this song doesn’t rock you, nothing will!?! It’s ‘Metal Mayhem’ you wouldn’t expect from such a novice group.
“WHAT DO YOU DO?” – This song will definitely receive the most radio-play off the album. It’s got “classic rock form” with a catchy set of lyrics, followed by an even more irresistible chorus. Alan Damien commands perfection of his guitar, with one of the best hook & riff combinations I’ve heard recently. There is a reason this song has so many plays on the internet. It appeals to that wide variety of listeners…with relatable lyrics you can sing to, excellent drum-beats, & wailing guitars that are so very characteristic of the ‘Great Rock Bands’ from the eighties.
“TO ALL THE YOUTH” – Self-spoken, it’s an “ANTHEM” for the younger generation…full of spite, resistance, & hostility. It appeals to their frustration with a melodic dose of empowerment, & is very reminiscent of a Sex Pistols’ style. Punky beat, & quick guitar momentum, drive this song home. You really get to appreciate Nick Battani’s hefty drumming abilities with loads of cymbal work. The “WHOA” factor, in the lyrics, makes this piece the perfect chanting song for any audience.
“MONDAY’S DEVIL TUESDAY’S DIVINE” – Slowing the tempo down a bit, you still hear the band’s heavy “power chord” influence LOUD & CLEAR. The harmonies take center-stage with the drawn-out flair of this track, & it really is the type of music that a person might listen to on a Monday morning. It has that innate ability to take that “sh*tty” mood & transcend it to a better place, something only a well-written song can do. Martin Kelly’s bass provides “depth” & gives the song its dynamic structure.
“MOTHER MARY” – AGGRESSIVELY shredded, with more of Taka’s signature “screeching” vocals, this turbo-charged number brings LDL’s musical frenzy to an explosive close! The lyrics showcase the band’s seething & uninhibited persona once again, with a striking blow to the musical ear. The musicianship is dramatic, vicious, & relentless…not letting go of the listener until the bitter end, where it leaves you yearning for MORE from this well-refined group of artisans.
The members of Living Dead Lights have been together for about two years now, & have a unique diversity that spans the globe…LITERALLY. Taka Tamada (vocals) originates from Japan, Martin Kelly (bass) comes from Ireland, Nick Battani (drums) is from Austin (TX), & Alan Damien (lead guitar) lives in Hollywood (CA). Taka describes their sound as being raw, aggressive rock‘n’roll with a punk influence, & they pride themselves on always keeping the individuality of each song in mind “FIRST”. Their name is a combination of “The Living Dead” & the expression “I’ll knock the daylights outta’ ya!” – an interesting, yet suitable, choice to capture their youthful image.
Although the guys are extremely happy with everything they’ve accomplished so far, they anticipate pre-production on a FULL-LENGTH album very soon, with hopes of touring once the record is finished. This will be pleasing for LDL fans all over the world, who anxiously await more guitar ripping action from this dangerous foursome! When I asked the group, what the “one thing” is that they want the fans to take away from their music, Alan responded, “Just believe in yourself, & live life on your terms.” That’s precisely what these punk-rockers do, & I suspect it will keep them in the industry for many years to come. Pure, straight-forward HARD ROCK with a punch of chaos…no constraints, no limitations, & no compromises — this is LIVING DEAD LIGHTS.
*** All photos courtesy of Living Dead Lights.
BPatoine – October, 2009
