In a new-millenium music industry that is producing anything but new sounds, sometimes it takes the most unlikely of bands to break out of the mold.
Not many would say that four girls from Canada, ages 15-17, could bring a new face to heavy metal, but Kittie brings a sound as fresh as the porcelain-skinned faces that produced the sound.
From their title track, “Spit,” to their first single, “Brackish,” Kittie uses a variety of thrash-stomping riffs and incantations to highlight the ever-present teen-girl sound in vocalist/guitarist Morgan Lander’s melodies.
Perhaps the most noticeable treat on this debut album is the pop-esque sound coming from Mercedes Lander’s drums. The harsh, snap-tight chords of bassist Talena Atfield and guitarist Fallon Bowman are in such contrast to the foot tapping beat that a variety of emotions are stirred. The sharp snare is ever present, keeping the timing of each song tight and in constant progression.
Although Lander’s vocals range from 1 to 10 on the Richter scale, they are best developed and showcased on “Paperdoll.”
Listening to Kittie is like being taken on a ride of different influences meshed into a sound tailored by four song seamstresses. Whether it’s the techno-pop single “Brackish” or the death metal sounds of “Do You Think I’m A Whore,” Kittie has developed such a solid fan base from opening for bands such as Biohazard and Slip knot that many will forget that these are only high school students producing this brash sound.
Fans of Britney Spears or Slayer are fast to embrace this quartet that is battling a genre of music dominated by older males. Although critics and fans alike are always ready to embrace any female musician who breaks onto a male-dominated scene — Lita Ford and Vixen are prime examples — Kittie has not only broken onto the scene, but created a sound all their own. It is a sound impossible for any male band to imitate, but a sound that every male wants to hear — a girl’s jail-bait voice over mixed by stroking bass lines and solid guitar licks.
Whether male fans want to drool over Kittie, much like Humbert in Vladimir Nabakov’s “Lolita,” or girl fans flock to them, hoping to be the next thrash-queen, the music should not be overshadowed.
Kittie’s solid sound has reserved them a spot on the Second Stage at Ozzfest when it makes its way through Columbus, July 18 at Polaris Ampitheater.
