Album Review: MrKill - Day Of Reckoning
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Taking their lead from some of the behemoths in the world of melodic death metal, Australian quartet MrKill release their debut EP ‘The Day of Reckoning’. A muscular 26 minutes, bookended by an intro and outro, MrKill are not messing about. ‘Annihilation’ kicks things off properly, a pulsing, bruising six-minute rager which contains lashing of groove. It’s a crashing explosion of ferocity, Justin K’s snarling delivery roaring over the battery that thunders beneath him. The sonic maelstrom which draws from more than the usual In Flames and Dark Tranquility flavours continues with ‘Hatred’, the heavy riffing and precision drumming slightly slower in parts but no less angry. Covering lyrical themes of turmoil, darkness, ignorance and despotism, this EP is on point in so many ways.
The band have commented about the E.P.:
"The character 'MrKill' could be summarised as a character of either a Special Forces soldier or perhaps a CEO that has served in the military previously. He does what he wants when he wants and how he wants it. In 'The Day Of Reckoning' MrKill is on a mission to avenge past events through his evil ways of destruction.”
Whilst it may sound a little macho, there is no doubting the punishing music that the band from Melbourne produce. Whilst the four songs are sandwiched between ‘Intro’ and ‘Outro’, the later a gentle piece with a riff familiar to Avatarium’s ‘Moonhorse’, there’s plenty to enjoy in the filling. Four powerhouse tracks, each around the six-minute mark, and each a full-on kick to the face. ‘Valiant Amusement’ and ‘Oblivion’ are horrible bastards. As the music of Australia continues to expand and develop, MrKill may be another band to keep an ear out for in the future.
