‘Lights Out’ begins gently but it doesn’t stay polite for long.
Released 13th October, this debut single from Hertfordshire grunge-rock band Dead The Will introduces a four-piece who know how to balance melody with muscle. After several changes in line-up over the past few years, the band are now settled, tight and ready to make themselves heard.
A beautifully melodic guitar introduction clears the way for Daisy Fitter’s distinctive voice. Her account of broken promises draws the listener in, with an edge of defiance that hints at what is coming.
Within a minute, that early restraint starts to give way. The guitars grow heavier, the drums more forceful, and the song’s simmering frustration breaks into something altogether more fierce. It is here that Dead The Will really find their stride, bringing their grunge instincts to the fore without damaging the rhythmic structure and clear narrative that binds the track so well.
Crucially, the heavier passages earn their place as the uptick in intensity adds drama and emotion to the storytelling with Daisy’s strong vocals providing a compelling and engaging thread. Lights Out is really well produced and allows each element to shine whilst maintaining the grit that gives the track its true character.
At more than five and a half minutes, ‘Lights Out’ gives itself plenty of room to roam. Yet a strong chorus, clear storytelling and a compelling pace keep things moving.
There is an emotional pull beneath the noise that carries the listener through. That interplay between the gentle and the forceful is central to the band’s appeal and their character. On stage, they largely favour blood and thunder, but their occasional acoustic sets reveal how comfortably these musicians can hold an audience when the volume comes down. Both sides of that personality find a home here.
As a debut, ‘Lights Out’ is a confident statement: melodic, bruising and full of conviction. It is also a good reason to catch Dead The Will live.
Upcoming Gigs
15 October: Slim Jim’s Liquor Store, London
21 October: Dingwalls, London
31 October: The Horn, St Albans
Review and photography by David Angel for THE SONGBIRD HQ