In advertising the sound of its music, local five-piece The Killer Dolphin With Rabies doesn't pull a lot of punches with its name. In fact, compared to some of the more well-known metal and grindcore bands -- Napalm Death, Carcass and Assück, to name a few -- it's a pretty discreet choice.
While many of the band's songs explore some of rock's more raw and extreme permutations, its music isn't grindcore or even metal in the purest sense. The Killer Dolphin With Rabies has managed to blend a number of genres in a way that attracts fans of jazz as well as metal, prog, and math rock. In fact, the song "The Greys Are Coming," from the group's 2008 album Be Human, forgoes vocals altogether and teases out a chilling, minimalist melody that's as fit for a modern classical composition as a sludge-metal track.
The song's momentum builds slowly, beginning with a simple, minor-key melody layered atop two alternating chords and a restrained drumbeat, then turns up the angst with an explosion of guitar and shimmering cymbals.
Drummer Paul Lang says the song was an experiment in improvisation for the band, which usually approaches songwriting in a much more meticulous manner.
"We wanted to record 'The Greys Are Coming' because it was the only thing we've ever written without the intention of being angular or calculated," he says. "The song moves more freely than our other songs, which are very scripted, and is our first step into the 'jam' genre."
An MP3 of "The Greys Are Coming" is available in the related downloads section at right. More songs by The Killer Dolphin With Rabies may be found on the band's MySpace page. The band teams up with Knuckel Drager and United Sons of Toil this Saturday, January 9 at the High Noon Saloon to play a benefit concert for the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund, a nonprofit, public-private partnership that helps cash-strapped families heat their homes throughout the winter.
MadTracks highlights and provides MP3s of songs performed by local musicians. All tracks here are provided with permission of the artist. If you are a musician based in the Madison metro area and are interested in sharing your work as a MadTrack, please send a message.