Villains are a band from Illinois, USA who categorise themselves as Street Metal.
After chatting with Devin regarding all things Villains, I decided it was time to give my opinion on the band.
Villains have remained unsigned throughout their entire time as a band, regardless of how good both of their most recent releases are. With a sound so unique, I could only compare them to artists such as Barrier & possibly Sworn In if they were actually good. With their most recent release titled ‘Freudian Slip’ being released on November 11th last year, it certainly made its mark. Villains are now known by a vast majority of down-tempo hardcore fans for their chaotic music and heart-rending lyrics. I’ve just pressed play on the opening track of the album and here’s what I have to say.
Stephen Hawking, who hurt you? For those who don’t know what I’m getting at, have a quick listen to ‘Lost In Translation’ and you’ll soon understand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HWvfKnSeSY
Let the record play through to the next track, ‘Ugly’, and you really start to hear what Villains are so known for – eery tones, sad & aggressive lyrics and music you just can’t keep up with. Containing lyrics such as “I don’t think I need change, just a rope for me to hang” and “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it die” which make you really wonder if the album can get much more emo. This track is a perfect expression of Villains and the album as a whole, a great place to start for new listeners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY3PizztX9I
‘Lonely Bastard’ yet again paints another vivid, brutal picture of what Devin (vocals) must have been battling inside of his own mind; the deception of love, trust and hope for one’s self. Following on from the track prior to this, ‘Better Off Alone’, which is merely a mellow song with one repeated lyric towards the end, ‘Lonely Bastard’ quickly reminds you of why Villains are so well known for what they do.
Up next is my favourite song off the entire record, ‘Bitterromantic Pt. 1’. Every single section of this track is catchy in one way or another, whether it be lyrics, drums, guitar or even the silence between. This song is nothing new in terms of theme. It follows on with the overall subject of death, being unable to love, unable to trust, feeling alone and being depressed. Lyrics such as “love is dead, it only exists in your head and holds onto your neck until your face turns red” and “microphone check, no-one can hear me I guess. Check” really reinforce the fact that the vocalist has gone through some serious shit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2ihuJqzETw
Title track, ‘Freudian Slip’, is ironically one of the songs which doesn’t stick to the roots of the whole album in a sense of heavy, down-tempo music with sad and depressing lyrics. That’s not to say these lyrics aren’t sad and depressing, but these lyrics make you feel something for the vocalist. Perhaps it’s his apologetic attitude towards the situation he’s singing about (saying “I’m sorry” 18 times in a matter of minutes certainly helps get that point across), perhaps it’s the calmer music which accompanies the lyrics… All I know is that there’s definitely something about it that makes you feel differently in comparison to the rest of the album.
And finally, another one of my favourite’s from the record. The second last track from the album, titled ‘Ketamine’, possesses everything I love about Villains. The creepy tones, the heart breaking screams, the chaotic drumming and catchy (but no less depressing) lyrics… THIS is the Villains I know and love.
Go now, listen to Freudian Slip then come back on Wednesday to see what I spoke about with Devin a few days ago.