MP3: The End Will Be Kicks - Always looking out

After what seemed like an eternity of starts and stops, it's finally here. The deubt self-titled album from The End Will Be Kicks is finished and it's a monster. This has been my most anticipated release for a loooong time and I'm happy to report that it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. As mentioned before numerous times, TEWBK is the new project of ex Him Kerosene frontman Niklas Quintana and drummer Tomas Turunen. The sound is still steeped in the trademarks of Norrland heavy indie rock - noisy guitars and thick, dissonant melodies - but twisted in a way that is unique and new. Just listen to the guitar bzzzz and hum on the opening - that's hardly a riff, that's a swarm of locusts ready to attack. And then the chorus hits and the whole thing opens up like a flower to reveal something even more beautiful. As great as this record is, it's also bittersweet because it's the end of the line for Chalksounds Records. It's wonderful to wrap things up on such a high note, but the current record biz climate is just too much for most indies to take. It's one thing to put out a few records as a hobby, but if you need to rely on that income, chances are it ain't gonna be easy. But let's not get off track here! Listen to the song!

The End Will Be Kicks - Always looking out