Album Review: Kill The Robot - Kill The Robot
Reviewed by Tim Finch
Kill The Robot is the new creative outlet for Stephen Gibb, eldest son of the legendary Bee Gee Barry Gibb. A talent musician in his own right, Stephen has of course featured in the likes of Black Label Society and Crowbar in the past. But with Kill The Robot he allows a lighter side of his creativity to come forth, more rock than heavy metal, Kill The Robot is about to hit the airwaves hard.
The album starts gently with ‘Mothership’ a song that feels like it whispers in your ear as it slowly builds. ‘Western Shores’ follows, similarly relaxing to start it was written as a tribute to Taylor Hawkins the day after his passing. It’s chilled delivery a fitting tribute in a song that also builds in intensity as it moves forward.
Following the relaxing first ten minutes of the album it’s time for Stephen’s creativity to shine through, a rasping drum beat kicks off ‘See The World’ and as it builds it has a wondering rolling dynamic that keeps the listener enthralled throughout. ‘Better Than’ has a sci-fi feel to it, whilst ‘Summer Days’ certainly has a summer vibe to it, along with a keyboard tuned to an almost glockenspiel like in tone.
‘No13lse’ takes the album on a darker turn, it's heavier, almost industrial and feels like a dark beast awakening. ‘Agave’ uses the keyboard to keep that near industrial rock feel going, whilst ‘Drug’ slows the pace but keeps the intensity of the music high.
In this album Stephen Gibb has allowed himself to experiment with his song writing, and that freedom has produced an highlight of the year so far. It dark and light, soft and heavy all at once. A melding of visions into one of the most relaxing listens we’ve witnessed in some time. If rock and metal fans ever needed a come down album, this is surely it.
