You’ll often find Mesmerized exploring the unconventional. Truth to be told, we are hungry for bold creatives; musicians not afraid to develop their own sonic path, refraining from following proven formulas or mainstream trends. With ‘Vivisect’, we certainly got our money’s worth, so to speak. You see, the album is a treasure trove of gloomy industrial rock and artsy math-coded guitars, a smorgasbord of dark electronica and creepy rock vibes that does not go unnoticed. Behind the record, we find Richmond, VA-based group Knifing Around, a group that fiercely defines itself as ‘dancerock’.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Devo, and LCD Soundsystem, Knifing Around unveils an aural continuum that’s electrifying and kinetic, yet also evocative and hypnotic. It’s the perfect marriage of intents; on one side, you’ve got your electro beats and noisy drum machines. On the other hand, a stream of sharp, angular guitar riffs and twitchy synth noises. What more could you wish for? This is an album for all the alternative folks out there, one that reeks of the early noughties as well as gritty 90s allure.
The lyricism behind ‘Vivisect’ is equally sombre and raw, a nuanced and figurative dive into the complexity of modern society. As we are told: “Traversing the political, cultural, and personal crises shaping contemporary American life, the band balances tightly coiled tension with a sly undercurrent of dark humour”.
Recommended! Discover ‘Vivisect’ now: