ALBUM REVIEW: Killing Aura – Killing Aura
After a string of semi-successful singles, Nottingham’s rising stars KILLING AURA have brought out their 10-track self-titled debut album. Departing from their previous single releases from 2022, this is where the four-piece show the UK and beyond what they’re all about and what they’re contributing to the already rich rock scene within the country. Have a taste and see if it brings the listener back for more.
The first single for the record, Work It Out, is one that is drenched in that brand new classic rock ‘n’ roll sound – one that is loud and proud, but not in-your-face or brimming with bad attitude. For a first slice of the sweetness presented, it introduces the band in the strongest way possible and with the song only being placed third in the track listing, it’s still early days and there is still much more KILLING AURA have to present.
Raining On Me is a standout and a favourite for the fast and loose fans of heavy rock; for the ones who may not mind breaking a bone in the mosh pit, or who will risk a bruised back to surf among a crowd of like-minded punks. With a high tempo, a tsunami of crashing cymbals courtesy of percussionist Danny Gage, and gruff growls from lead vocalist Chris Gordon, this is an apt example of where the old-school influences are at work. The battered-up symphony doesn’t even make it to the three-minute mark, but it still holds a fascinating place as it breaks up the album by becoming its unintentional climax track.
This style of rock is one that will always come and go, disappear and reappear in phases in the industry and particularly around the UK rock and punk scenes. With as often as it may swing its way back into popularity, it will become stronger and will live on. The spirit that fills England decade after broken decade will never cease as long as bands keep picking up where others left off with that retro-trending, worn and torn, bricolage-mended aesthetic that only improves as it becomes modernised for the latest demographics.
The momentum sees no slowing down or stopping as the album winds to its eventual close, with Dream Tonight becoming the high point of Gordon‘s vocals standing out against the accompaniment of his bandmates and Going On showing that the rock show never ends and the two-stepping never comes to a standstill as it gives the record that one last hurrah before the end comes.
If there is any takeaway from an album such as KILLING AURA‘s debut, it is purely that the idea of rock being dead or even dying is a myth. A joke that is laughed at from generation to generation, as rock will never die for two reasons: it will evolve, or it will come back from its “grave” and wow the moshers once again. When it comes to dirty rough vocals, screeching guitar riffs and the constant collisions of the percussion there is nowhere better suited than the UK, and having come up with many others over the last decade alone, praises be to Nottingham for becoming the city where that original punk attitude lives on and thrives around its fantastically talented individuals. Hop on the train and get down to the city of rock ‘n’ roll, because that is where the action is happening.
Rating: 9/10
Killing Aura is out now via self-release.
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