Khemikal - Single Review: Unity
Back in the early to mid-2000’s I was a huge fan of POD, Alterbridge, Incubus and Disturbed, and to some extent I still am. The beginning of the DJ era within rock music.
When I opened the new single Unity from Hamilton duo Khemikal I had (to my good fortune) just been in a Zoom meeting and so I had my speakers turned right up. The song slapped me across the face like a fight scene out the Netflix series Kingdom.
Honestly? – the best 2 minutes 37 of my week (about 8 times over back to back).
I am struggling to figure how a duo sounds like about a 6-piece band. I hear drums, guitar, bass, samples, rapping, and singing. In my head I see what I assume live looks like Linkin Park.
On that note, the sound is probably quite a good likeness to Linkin Park, but it’s just a touch more intricate, and a touch heavier, more-so like POD but with some added Chester Bennington flavour.
The tune is incredibly well mixed and produced. It sounds huge – very much like it’s come out of one of the big mastering studios in the US like Sterling Sound.
There is no downtime through the song, straight into a verse (more of a pre-chorus) with rapping, and some very cool drumming which I’m assuming is programmed, but either way, its impressive. A cool little bell hits, and a good groove. The chorus is big and catchy and has all the elements of a great rock tune. A good amount of repetition without being boring. About 2/3rds of the way through the tune there is a very brief breakdown just to mix it up, but shortly after, that big chorus hits you again.
My only criticism from a rock guy perspective is that I would have LOVED to hear a guitar solo in there, and I would have loved another 30 seconds to a minute of length. It’s a great song, it could definitely be drawn out a little bit longer without being offensive.
Honestly? a great tune guys. Looking forward to hearing more of you in future, and I’ll keep an eye out for a live show given I’m in your hometown.
About Khemikal
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