DeathBoy- End of an Error

ARTIST: DeathBoy

ALBUM: End of an Error

LABEL: Line Out Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 4-7-07

For an independent act, UK band DeathBoy sound awfully professional, mixing industrial rock attitude with high-end production values and cynical but appealing vocal hooks. Built on a foundation of hard electronics, DeathBoy bring just enough moody guitars and clean, human-sounding vocals to appeal to fans of goth and even alternative rock; the polished but aggressive "Smile You Fuckers" in particular will appeal to fans of God Lives Underwater and Stabbing Westward, and apart from the expletive in the title, it's easy to imagine it getting radio airplay. DeathBoy do an especially good job bridging the gap between industrial brutality and quieter, moodier themes; though their programmed beats all have an element of metallic clanking to them, the presence of Cure-inspired guitars on "Money and Confidence" and soft piano interludes on "Lullaby" shows a level of sonic diversity that's rarely attempted, let alone actually achieved, by your average industrial act. Though the slashing guitars and shouts of "Cheap Shot" prove that DeathBoy are more than able to do righteous anger, the much more subdued "Playing Grown-Up" is even more expressive, creating an exquisite sense of bleakness with little more than muted keyboards and disaffected vocal work. Despite a rather unfortunate name, DeathBoy are poised to appeal to a much broader audience; here's hoping they go far.

Visit the band at www.deathboy.co.uk.