Dark Synergy – You Are The Killer ep
Described by guitarist/songwriter/producer Col Brown as 'Cyber-Goth' (a label far more imaginative than their music), Dark Synergy are not particularly 'Goth' sounding, neither is it obvious where the 'Cyber' part of the description comes in. In fact, on the basis of the three tracks here, Dark Synergy are a band desperately in need of a style.
Opening track 'You Are The Killer' is lightweight acoustic pop-rock that doesn't really go anywhere, and vocalist Nellie Mokbel's voice is pleasant enough, but ultimately bland and inoffensive. Nice bluesy solo in the midsection, but that's not enough to raise this song above being background music.
Track two, No Illusions, is a rock/metal number. Again, this is lacking any strong melody and the simple riff that repeats throughout most of the song quickly becomes monotonous.
Third and final track, Altered State, starts off with some acoustic guitars and nice bass harmonics and, as with the rest of the ep, is well played, but ultimately forgettable. Mokbel's voice is suspect at times on this one and does nothing much to earn her keep other than providing a mildly soporific effect to proceedings.