THERE ARE many things in life that can leave you out of breath, some more enjoyable than others. SikTh's first two EPs, "Let The Transmitting Begin"' (Infernal) and "How May I Help You?' (Unparalleled Carousel/Gut), can now be added to that list.
"Energy has always inspired us," says guitarist Dan Weller, "things that really get you pumping. We play extreme music, sure, but in the sense that we go to all extremes. If something sounds good, then we'll do it, and that includes beautiful, melodic music, which we all love, too"
With producer John Fryer (NIN, Cradle Of Filth, Raging Speedhorn, etc.) working in the studio alongside the band, "Let The Transmitting Begin"' & 'How May I Help You?' are records that will instantly appeal to those who like ripping up the rulebook; intensely played, ambitiously conceived and produced to dent the body-work, this is music that relishes the challenge of taking the tightest of turns at the most reckless of speeds.
"But," stresses fellow guitarist Pin, "we're always concerned with the quality of the tune; just writing crazy music isn't enough, and I think that's what makes us different from other bands who go really technical. We're definitely writing songs."
FORMED IN March 2001, the last 18 months or so has seen North London six-piece SikTh - vocalists Mikee W. Goodman & Justin Hill, bassist James Leach, drummer Dan Foord and guitarists Pin and Dan W. - honing their craft and settling on a line-up comprising the cream of the musicians from their local area.
Along the way, the band have played UK dates with a wide variety of acts (from Kittie to Mad Capsule Markets, American Head Charge to The Dillinger Escape Plan), won an industry showcase event in Manchester ('In The City'), recorded a four-track session for Radio One,
who have supported the SikTh from the off, been tipped by rock bible Kerrang! as one of the bands for 2003, recorded a live ident for digital channel 'Trouble TV', and released two critically-lauded EPs (the afore-mentioned 'Let The Transmitting Begin.' & 'How May I Help You?'); oh, and they've also found time to complete a headline, largely sell-out UK tour in support of their latest release, create an animated clip for its narrative title track (a clip that has been played extensively by MTV, MTV 2 & Kerrang! TV) and been included - alongside Queens Of The Stone Age & The Datsuns - in a TV ad campaign to raise the profile of Radio One. Not bad for a new band who've yet to record their debut album!
As with their first EP, 'How May I Help You? (complete with cover of Nick Cave's 'Tupelo' epic) continues to position SikTh away from the nu-metal pack and in a darkly humorous world that is very much of their own making.
"Well, someone has to start it," concludes Dan W. "In years to come, if the world hasn't exploded, there'll still be music in the charts, and it's gotta go somewhere. We're not musical buffs, though, and you don't need to be a musical buff to listen to us. You just need to be exposed to our music, and once you have, it sticks!"
SikTh's debut album, "The Trees Are Dead And Dried Out, Wait For Something Wild", is scheduled for release on Unparalleled Carousel/Gut in une 2003.
