Menacing Melancholy
Sultry Southern boys In Darklight have a melancholy, melodic style that shudders with dark menace; this is one band who are suited to their name.
'Lost' opens this EP in fine style; precise guitarwork builds up an aching atmosphere, proving that you don't need to fill your tracks with thrashing riffs to hold an audience. The vocals are haunting but raw around the edges, with a slight Radiohead feel about their lethargic longing.
'Foreground/Background' kicks off with shimmering guitars before entering an angry overdriven phase and letting in the vitriolic vocals, which soar over the melodramatic background onslaught. 'Blame' returns to the previous pensive form with rippling guitars and subtle drums, letting the vocals take the lead in captivating the listener. 'In The Darklight's echoing vocals are full of mystery and seem to speak of conspiracy, "We know that you're in the darklight", while moving tenderly above the twinkling guitars and pressing percussion before reaching a chaotic climax; there are hints of The Cooper Temple Clause's more thoughtful numbers, which is far from a bad thing.
'Illusions' is a little more actively aggressive with chiming riffs, while 'The Wall (Everything Is Unwalled)' brings the EP to a close with trembling notes and careening vocals, making it one of the most catchy and powerful tracks.
Lilting guitars and shimmering melodies set alight all of these carefully choreographed tracks, which stretch on past the 5 minute mark but still continue to be fascinating listening. In Darklight could be the new Muse with their masterful atmospherics and guitar wizardry which imbues the tunes with menace.