KILL CITY BANDITS – Kill City Bandits (2024)

Norway’s rockers KILL CITY BANDITS have been around for almost two decades now, released two promising EP’s early the past decade and then some sporadic singles, but things in this 5-piece camp have been quiet in recent years.
Fast forward to 2024 and KILL CITY BANDITS are back with their long overdue, self-titled full debut album and, thankfully, nothing much has changed in their style as the insistent, rock n’ glam gothic stomp of “Tall Dark Strangers” starts things off with a distinct bang.
The thumping drum and searing guitar intro for “Just A Dream” converts nicely into the first of many chorus-led tunes. The plaintive “Remember Me” has haunting lyrics and the added bonus of a guest appearance on keyboards from the great Casino Steel (of The Boys and Hollywood Brats among others) adding another touch of class to a song that already oozes it. The lyrically barbed beauty of “Cyrinda” leads almost seamlessly into the simplistic pop chant of “Heavy Medication”.
“Two Shadows” could easily have been taken from Hanoi Rocks’ album Two Steps From The Move as it really is that good; as well as featuring another Casino Steel appearance.

The low slung but very groovy “Tomorrow” comes complete with a nicely sneering vocal and a vaguely psychedelic Marius Dresser guitar solo. “Closed Hearts” is an effective, midtempo ballad with more fine guitar work from Dresser; before the faux Country, novelty sounding “If You Ain’t A Cowboy (You Ain’t Shit)” which actually turns out to be as fun and hard driving as the title may suggest and leads into the perfect album and gig singalong, lighter waving closer “Till Next Time” .

The production is crystal clear and the songs are, without exception, hugely infectious, that will no doubt become almost immediately addictive for anyone who loves the likes of Hanoi Rocks, Dogs D’Amour and Quireboys with the added low slung guitar essence of such bands as the more recent Backyard Babies and Dirtbag Republic.
The Kill City Bandits themselves are on top form which is as it should be after such a long absence. Dresser is excellent throughout and equally ably assisted by Biggs on guitar; whilst Jens Nero on bass and the mighty Paulie on drums compliment every song perfectly.
The harmonies are well executed and Ulrik’s vocals are finely suited to the songs and even more effective when he adds that world weary sneer on some of the choruses.

Whatever happened to the last decade is almost immaterial, because this debut is almost worth the long wait and proves – if proof were ever needed — that Scandinavia are the very best in producing quality bands in the Rock genre and if there’s any sort of justice, Kill City Bandits will be right up there – as long as they don’t take another extended hiatus.
As they say themselves in “Till Next Time” — “We just want you to have a good time”. Well, job fully done there guys, as this is fun, entertaining rock n’ roll album
Highly Recommended

01 – Tall Dark Strangers
02 – Just A Dream
03 – Remember Me (feat. Casino Steel)
04 – Cyrinda
05 – Heavy Medication
06 – Tomorrow
07 – Two Shadows (feat. Casino Steel)
08 – Closed Hearts
09 – If You Ain’t A Cowboy (You Ain’t Shit)
10 – Till Next Time

Ulrik – vocals
Marius Dresser – lead guitar
Biggs – guitar
Jens Nero – bass
Paulie – drums
with;
Casino Steel – organ (3, 7)
Jorgen Henriksen – harmonica (9)

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www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DB6N18BG