A press release from Sleigh Bells describes their new release, Reign of Terror, as “the sonic equivalent of a beautiful shotgun to the head.” While the imagery certainly fits their 2010 debut Treats, the duo’s “beautiful shotgun” seems to have been loaded with blanks here. Terror is, on the whole, an enjoyable LP, but the added noise on a number of tracks is distracting. Despite that their sound is largely defined by volume, Sleigh Bells allows this din to overwhelm many tracks that would benefit from a more focused sound.
Sleigh Bells has managed to create a sizable sound through guitarist Derek Miller’s masterful use of reverb and distortion influenced by Def Leppard. On tracks like “Demons,” this effect adds to Miller’s violent yet controlled riffs, and, when combined with front woman Alexis Krauss’s aggressive vocals, provides the perfect balance between aural clutter and musical virtuosity. “Crush,” too, achieves this balance, but adds a third element to the mix—Krauss’s ability to actually sing, as opposed to simply yelling her lyrics into the microphone like she usually does.
The prevalence of Krauss’s singing on Terror is a welcome contrast to the generally guitar-heavy tracks. “Road to Hell” is a particular gem on the new LP; the track showcases Krauss’s voice, which is barely above a whisper, with guitar and synth lines steadily keeping the beat without detracting from her vocal performance. The lyrics also underscore a shift from a top-of-the-world attitude on Treats to a steadily creeping darkness on Reign of Terror. Krauss epitomizes this lyrical anguish in “You Lost Me,” as she sings, “I don’t want you to see me this way / But I wait and die.”
Unfortunately, the vocal focus is a rarity on Terror, and some tracks even allow for Krauss’s voice to be completely overtaken by the background’s sampled beats and remixed guitar riffs. “True Shred Guitar,” which kicks off the album with a sample from a live performance in New Orleans, transforms into a medley of unnecessary sounds, which results in a song that is both short and repetitive.
Though Reign of Terror is not perfect, Sleigh Bells’ second LP demonstrates artistic growth. The honeymoon phase of the Brooklyn duo is over; Krauss and Miller will now be able to focus on darker, more serious themes instead of merely pumping up the volume.
Voice’s Choices: “End of the Line,” “Road to Hell”
