Kite Thief – Choke (2025)
With raucous new single ‘Choke’, Bristolian act Kite Thief are offering a solid piece of metal, which feels of a time yet timeless, harking back to big names of the early 2000s with pulsating sound whilst still offering something fresh and contemporary.
Musically, the similarities to metal giants Korn are undeniable. I got the same feeling from ‘Choke’ to when I first heard ‘Blind’ nearly 30 years ago, with the loud and meaty bassline coupled with a crashing drum beat setting the tone for the entire track and carrying through right until the end, offering a solid base for the rest of the track. Always being a fan of female vocalists in metal bands, singer Elin Allan’s performance for me was the showpiece of the entire single and tied it all together fantastically. For me, ‘Choke’ is a perfect example of a great metal sound, but with a little extra that you’ll only get when you listen to it yourself.
As with all new music, I’m a firm believer that to understand something, you need to know what came before, and thankfully, when it comes to Kite Thief, there is a wealth of material to explore, including numerous singles and an EP, that really drill home they’re not just a one-trick pony. So if, like me, you can’t wait for their next release, get on Spotify and do a deep dive!
The experience of Kite Thief is obvious, having performed at 2000 Trees Festival and End of the Road, sharing the stage with the likes of INME. With such a raw sound, this is a band that demands to be listened to and needs to be heard live. With that in mind, I will definitely be looking out for any shows close to me.
Like I’ve said previously, UK metal seems to be going from strength to strength, and we are in the midst of a welcome resurgence. It’s bands like Kite Thief that are proving my theory time and time again. I hope this is only the beginning and we get more from this five-piece and many more, because I am in and begging for more!
Find out more about Kite Thief on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
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