EP: Dead in a Second – The Double Treblio
2 min read
After its much publicised tribute to the Divinyls’ frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett with Girls in Town and being signed by Possum Records last year, the Sydney-based heavy rock band Dead in a Second has a new EP, The Double Treblio.
This release is a schizophrenic affair as expected. Vocalist Rick Hammond’s gentle croons that recall the vocals of Ian Kenny (Birds of Tokyo, Karnivool) and guitarist Tristan ‘Trizo’ Bouillaut’s melodic riffs are contrasted against Hammond’s primal screeching on tracks like opener Chrysalis. This track about the futility of love may feature some rather pedestrian riffs during the post-chorus for a metal track. However, it showcases Hammond’s ability to exude vulnerability in his voice, at least during the parts when he’s actually singing. In other parts, Hammond is indecipherable as he exorcises whatever is going on inside him.
Reputation, with its rapid, oscillating riffs and bombarding drums, should prompt listeners to jump along as if they were in a cramped rock mosh pit. The Hilltop Hoods and Red Hot Chilli Peppers appear to be other influences on the band, particularly on the half-sung, half-rapped Compute The Line. The overall theme of this song is quite apparent in the inclusion of excerpts from a stirring 1992 speech by environmentalist Severn Cullis-Suzuki and Hammond’s pleas for forgiveness for the destruction of the world.
Bouillaut’s performance is strongest in his intricate acoustic guitar parts on Oceans of Mind, a quality ballad on the EP. It showcases the band’s versatility and evokes a beach setting, though the drums are buried in the mix.
The ominous intro of Hello Goodbye (HG2) sets it up as a great gig opener. A cascade of guitars and drums like a aural waterfall gives the track momentum and sounds brilliant with headphones. The guitar riff during the breakdown sounds as precise and inhumanly possible as a pre-programmed synthesizer. Despite the cooking guitars, the chorus’ melody doesn’t quite set things alight. Therefore, this nicely performed but somewhat safe track would suit commercial rock playlists.
Dead in a Second have created a decent collection of tracks. Nevertheless, none are as adventurous as a REMIX of 2012’s Streetlight, which closes The Double Treblio. Hammond’s vocals and Bouillaut’s guitar performance may be strong but they do not make up for the lack of adventure and atmosphere.
