And we’re really expecting them to take the world by storm. This is the perfect time for music like this and they managed to take things to such a higher level, that I can’t help but be thoroughly impressed. On the songs they released before getting signed you could already hear their great potential and their talent to write incredibly catchy music using all too familiar elements from the alternative music scene without ever sounding like one in a dozen. Lotta‘s voice has that unique bluesy, jazzy, soulful sound that you usually would find in blues rock bands like Blues Pills, but is an absolute standout in the music they are making right now.

While earlier Lotta was singing almost constantly with clean vocals, she gradually started to scream more, and it seems she completely embraced this side of her on ‘DEATHMATCH‘. Which gives for yet another dynamic that pulls you in, because when her silky smooth voice gets followed by her belting some impressive screams out, or the other way around, both flavors of voice sound so much more impactful.

Overall, the songs on this album are so well-crafted and balanced, filled with catchy earworms, captivating hooks and an impressive mix of genres and elements without ever feeling too stuffed or forced. With Lotta doing more screams than before, they lean even more into that alternative/nu metal sound from the heydays of the genre, but giving it a proper shake-up and invigorating kick in the ass. There is so much variation woven throughout every single song that it keeps your attention effortlessly straight from the high energy opener ‘love u’ and keeps you on the edge of your seat, ready to jump up to dance or bang your head whenever they throw one of their explosive moments in your face.

It feels like they’ve gone to more extremes on both sides of the aisle, where on the one hand they have some of their sweetest poppy moments that at times almost seem cheeky as in “we know you metalheads don’t really like pop music” (the “la-la-la-la-love you” in ‘love you’, ‘sugar rush’, and so much more) or very mellow soulful (closer ‘fever dream’), but on the other hand they sound heavier than they ever have before (breakdown in ‘burn the world with me’). Musically they’ve managed even more than before to find that perfect blend between heavy hitting riffs, pulsating beats and electro music where they don’t shy away from letting the latter come unapologetically more to the front. At times there is a certain chaotic rawness to their music that somewhat reminds me off how Kittie sounded like back with their ‘Spit’ album, but just when you think you might get an overload of that, they hit you again with those sweet melodies they’re so good at. Lotta has some excellent moments throughout where she really shows off her jazz background, and talent to tell a story through different vocal styles and effects.

Stand-out tracks are hard to pick since the quality is so high throughout the album, but ‘sugar rush’ stood out, where you can feel the fun they had making this song. It’s catchy as hell, has an extremely fun mix where the electro samples seem to be swarming around your head (especially when listening on headphones, recommended) and hit you up with an almost Polyphia-like guitar solo. Also ‘slay ur enemies’ got played a lot here with the fun rapping bits, and screams/vocals that at times reminded me of Otep when she came on the scene decades ago. Also ‘get mad’ is an impressive track where they dared to use some Finnish lines in an otherwise really catchy chorus and a super funky bridge that rolls into an almost screaming guitar solo bit.

Luna Kills has grown so much over the past years, going from a promising new band in the Finnish music scene to actually fulfilling a majority of that promise we saw in them all those years ago. ‘DEATHMATCH‘ is their statement towards the world and I believe it won’t go unnoticed. They are ready to wipe everyone off the map to be the sole victor, and you won’t have any defense against it. They easily fit in with the wave of captivating acts that have been popping up like mushrooms that are not afraid to experiment and mix styles and flavors you might not immediately expect like Deathbyromy, Kim Dracula and so much more. Look out for these peeps, they’re going to slay…

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