admin
22 December 2023
I first learned of Death In Vegas when I saw them open up for Chemical Brothers in Detroit back in 1998. I was amazed by their set. I thought it was cool that there was a band opening up for a strict DJ headliner. And even though Death In Vegas (Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes) created their sound with instruments, as opposed to relying only on sampling machines and turntables, they had a distinct (for lack of a better term) “techno” sound to them. I could shake my ass, feel the bass beat deep in my chest, and lose myself in the music. So I didn’t hesitate to buy their debut disc, Dead Elvis. I found something new and cool that night.
Their sophomore offering, The Contino Sessions, came out in 1999. I didn’t rush out and buy it because I had somewhat fallen away from that genre of music. I ended up borrowing it from a friend. Again, I found myself really liking what I heard. The Contino Sessions was more stripped down; more raw. Gone almost entirely were the catchy tunes. It was darker, and a hell of a lot less mindless. Death In Vegas wasn’t copying their old stuff. They were moving forward.
And now, with their third release, Scorpio Rising (Sanctuary Records), due out June 17th, they’ve proven themselves again. Death In Vegas is progression incarnate. Just because something worked for them in the past doesn’t mean they’re going to rely on it with every album in the future. And that’s what keeps me interested in them. Scorpio Rising is like The Contino Sessions on Paxil; it’s similar in its sound, but it has a much more light-hearted feel to it. And the guest musicians only add to the mix: renowned Indian violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam, Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star), Nicola Kuperas (Adult), Susan Dillane (Woodbine), and Oasis’ own Liam Gallagher lend a hand in shaping Scorpio Rising. Although, it’s hard to put aside my anti-Oasis feelings, and that makes the title track done by Gallagher my least favorite on the disc. But that is the only slow point for me.
Gems on the album are as follows: an Eighties blast from the past known as “Hands Around My Throat” (I know they predicted it, but I still can’t believe that the Eighties are really coming back!); a beautiful guitar/violin piece titled “Killing Smile”; an experiment in sound called “Natja”; and a cover of a 1966 Gene Clark song, “So You Say You Lost Your Baby”, featuring lyrics by Paul Weller. When I first listened to the disc, this track stuck out like a sore thumb. It’s so different than the rest of the music. But after listening to the disc a few times through, I’ve grown to love it.
Scorpio Rising is another great step upwards in the Death In Vegas discography. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
VISIT DEATH IN VEGAS HERE.
PURCHASE THIS OR SIMILAR ITEMS
Their sophomore offering, The Contino Sessions, came out in 1999. I didn’t rush out and buy it because I had somewhat fallen away from that genre of music. I ended up borrowing it from a friend. Again, I found myself really liking what I heard. The Contino Sessions was more stripped down; more raw. Gone almost entirely were the catchy tunes. It was darker, and a hell of a lot less mindless. Death In Vegas wasn’t copying their old stuff. They were moving forward.
And now, with their third release, Scorpio Rising (Sanctuary Records), due out June 17th, they’ve proven themselves again. Death In Vegas is progression incarnate. Just because something worked for them in the past doesn’t mean they’re going to rely on it with every album in the future. And that’s what keeps me interested in them. Scorpio Rising is like The Contino Sessions on Paxil; it’s similar in its sound, but it has a much more light-hearted feel to it. And the guest musicians only add to the mix: renowned Indian violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam, Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star), Nicola Kuperas (Adult), Susan Dillane (Woodbine), and Oasis’ own Liam Gallagher lend a hand in shaping Scorpio Rising. Although, it’s hard to put aside my anti-Oasis feelings, and that makes the title track done by Gallagher my least favorite on the disc. But that is the only slow point for me.
Gems on the album are as follows: an Eighties blast from the past known as “Hands Around My Throat” (I know they predicted it, but I still can’t believe that the Eighties are really coming back!); a beautiful guitar/violin piece titled “Killing Smile”; an experiment in sound called “Natja”; and a cover of a 1966 Gene Clark song, “So You Say You Lost Your Baby”, featuring lyrics by Paul Weller. When I first listened to the disc, this track stuck out like a sore thumb. It’s so different than the rest of the music. But after listening to the disc a few times through, I’ve grown to love it.
Scorpio Rising is another great step upwards in the Death In Vegas discography. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
VISIT DEATH IN VEGAS HERE.
PURCHASE THIS OR SIMILAR ITEMS
artid
1411
Old Image
5_10_deathinvegas.jpg
issue
vol 5 - issue 10 (jun 2003)
section
entertainmental