NIKK FAIL - End Of The Line
Review by Atomic Robo-Kid | Album Art by Nikk Fail with Assistance of Midjourney AI
Nikk Fail, a relative newcomer to the scene has released his second offering to the world of Dark Synth, 'End of the Line'. The EP is a riveting dive into the artist's complex sonic landscape, blending horror referencing lyricism with an eclectic mix of genres. Across its six tracks, 'End of the Line' showcases Nikk Fail's ability to traverse different moods and sound design whilst maintaining cohesive links to a Dark Synth ethos and a homage to the sounds of 70s and 80s Horror and Sci-fi movies.
'Bugstompers' kicks off 'End of the Line' and sets us up perfectly for the dark ride of the rest of the EP. Analog like bass booms forward, creating an darkened environment. But, glimpses of melodic light interweave through in the sound of high toned bleeps n bloops creating an equally engaging and interesting Sci-fi edge. With unconventional rhythms and atmospheric composition, this track serves well as a concise introduction to the experimental side of Fail's music.
A classic rock style drum sequencing is at the forefront of the introduction to 'End of the Line' (feat. Eleonora Ferrari). Eleonora's vocals melts through the percussion with an amazing voice and melancholic lyrics that builds a bittersweet emotion that brings an end of the world doom feel. There's an impressive range in Eleonora's voice, sometimes angelic, albeit with a sense of menace, and sometimes face melting aggression and all executed effortlessly. Blood has been spilt in Sacrifice for a greater good, aggression grips this track and the story of pain is executed well!
'Living Dead Lights' begins with a pulsating bass, echoes of synth and a creepy melody. All of which creates an interesting uneasiness and intense intrigue. This suits the emotion of the track that manifests a horror atmosphere, taking the listener back in time to the spooky horror greats of the 70's and 80's. It's a dark low tempo track that paints a sonic picture of mystery and darkness.
'Anakin Rampage (The ballad of Vader)', has a very cool retro gaming vibe. This is boss fight, reminding me of some of the video games from back in the day, and you better be ready to take on Vader himself! Inkeeping with the dark theme of this EP, we also hear some nice instrumental changes that work nicely in switching up the pace allowing for a progressive uptempo composition. Synth pads create the atmosphere whilst the electric bass and drum beat propels the action rapidly forward.
'Troma Boy' (feat. BelvaSXE, William Baxter). The track opens with a sequence of rasping bass and punk / metal drums which immediately sets an intense tone of horror. This track is a cool stand out and I particularly like the punk / metal crossover with layers of Horror and even an occasional funky groove! An ambitious mix that seems to just work. Assisted by some amazing guitar work, presented at times as gloriously sinister metal wave that will 'fill your darkest void'. Powerful screamo-esque vocals ensue as the track progresses and the slaughter continues.
Commuting Paradise (feat. Giulia Finazzi, William Baxter) serves as a fitting conclusion to the EP. It's a slow-burning industrial rock track that sways into and out of a very catchy chorus. Again we experience the awesome skills of William Baxter on guitar and are introduced to yet another guest artist, Guilia Finazzi. Guilia does a very fine job on vocals with an emotive delivery backed by a lush orchestration, making for a captivating finale. The guitar riffs and synth lines weave together seamlessly, creating a dynamic soundscape.
Overall Impression:
'End of the Line' is a testament to Nikk Fail's artistic growth and versatility. The EP's production is meticulously crafted, with each track offering something unique and different from each other, whilst contributing to the same darkened narrative. In fact I would say that ability to blend different genres and moods into a coherent and compelling body of work is truly impressive.
The bass lines across the tracks are not merely supportive but add a layer of depth, creating a rich, full-bodied sound that envelops the listener. The collaborative work is spot on and the guest artists build impressively on the foundation of Fail's composition and production. For me, 'End of the Line' and 'Troma Boy' are when this EP is at it's best providing a raw power both musically and vocally. The lyrics and vocal performances carry an emotional weight that complements the dynamics of the instrumentation whilst maintaining a retro horror theme. Lovely stuff!
Whilst, I feel the occasionally experimental sound design may not always be to everyone’s taste. I know Nikk Fail's 'End of the Line' will provide a thought provoking listen for fans of a wide range of genres including: Darkwave, Darksynth, Metal Wave and Rock. So, more a less everyone with a half decent taste in Dark Electronic Music! Head over and listen for yourselves.
For more Nikk Fail, visit https://nikkfail.bandcamp.com/album/end-of-the-line
