Search - Kill Hannah :: For Never & Ever

One Of The Most Underrated Groups Of The Moment

Andrew Estes | Maine | 06/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I gotta say, looking at the photo of the band on the back of the CD case, I didn't know what to think of Killhannah. They all dress with pants so tight, you can tell their religion and pretty much look like a second-tier emo act. Listen to the music, however, and such is not the case. Killhannah are one of very few original acts out there. You might remember the single "Kennedy" from back in 2003, but other than that, these guys haven't had much exposure. And what a shame that is. Killhannah may very well be the kick in the pants the rock world needs.



Taking a page from their fellow Chicago breathren and influences in Smashing Pumpkins, Killhannah combine a solid alternative backbone with dense electronics. A frontman who sings his lyrics a little high-pitched, but with plenty of conviction and plenty of pop-hooks. It's hard not to hear a lot of Pumpkins influence in their music, but make no mistake, they also are not even close to being a carbon copy. Despite being a mere eleven tracks long, "For Never & Ever" manages to lay all of the cards on the table, establishing a new sound all their own. "New Heart For X-Mas" "Racing The Dream" and "They Can't Save Us Now" are the real standouts, and songs you need to hear if you are looking into the group.



Hopefully when they put out their next album, it will take Killhannah to the next level. I would love to see a band like this destroy the bland emo and retro scene in an instant. One of the true alternative bands left, one that can't be described in a word, confined to a genre. Believe all the good things you've heard about Killhannah. They are all true."

Pretty Original In Today's Times

LeftManOut | TheCityThatNeverSleeps, FL | 07/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Judging by the cover of this cd, one would be willing to guess that Kill Hannah is nothing more than a cookie-cutter emo/screamo/metalcore act, with very little substance. I mean look at the name. However don't let the name or the cover fool you; Kill Hannah is not your standard "scene" band. In fact they have little in common with any of the groups with which one might immediately associate them with. Actually they are probably one of the few band out there today still trying to pioneer a sound that is fresh and different. Though they've gone virtually unrecognized over the last three years since this album was released, I have a feeling all that's about to change. The time seems just right for Kill Hannah to flourish.



Opening up with the energetic "They Can't Save Us Now", you'll instantly get acquainted with what the guys have to offer. Mat Devine has a very unique way of delivering his vocals, sometimes sounding feminine and out of breathe, and at others rough and melodic. "For Never And Ever" has plenty of things going for it, that's for sure. The song writing is top-notch. Almost all the songs have an incredibly memorable chorus ("Kennedy" and "New Heart For Christmas" being the most recognizable). The subtle electronic elements that are sprinkled throughout the entire record add a nice sonic feeling to almost every song they are placed in. The guitars are extremely melodic, and their main focus seems to be creating a giant wall of sound around the listener, rather than bombarding one with technical ability (not to say the aren't talented though.) The drumming is great and on point as well, and combined with the bass playing of Greg Corner, the band is solid all around.



The great thing about the record though is that no two songs are alike. Every single one has a different and unique feeling, right down to the way Mat sings them. Kill Hannah is able to pull off so many twists and turns that any listener should be able to appreciate how diverse they can get. Rockers like "From Now On" and "Race The Dream" show the up-tempo nature of the band, while somber pieces like "Raining All The Time" and "10 More Minutes With You" show off their ability to slow it down. Front to back not a single thing to complain about.



Although they're not on the radar at the moment, I think Kill Hannah is about to break with their upcoming album "Until There's Nothing Left Of Us". Look at a band like 30 Seconds To Mars, who are incredibly talented and went virtually unnoticed with their first record. Now their doing extremely well. And with playing a similar style of electronic influenced alternative rock like Kill Hannah, I wouldn't be surprised if KH breaks out in August. "For Never And Ever" is a great listen for all fans of alternative and rock, and really has a lot of sleeper value. With the band about to release their newest cd soon, now is a great time to look into this offering. You won't be disappointed."

An overlooked great album.

Turiel | DC, KS | 04/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chicago based glam-goth-new waver-emo-electorock-shoegaze-whatever they happen to be getting labeled as this minute created this album a few years ago that was sadly overlooked by the mainstream music press to a great degree. Sadly they missed getting on the new wave bandwagon with the press where they could of dominated, or with the cure revialist a few years ago where they show some obvious influences. So lately they have been oddly lumped in with the latest wave of emo bands quite sadly.

I came across the album "For Never & Ever" after reading a review that quite correctly compared the album to Placebo's "Black Market Music". The singer Mat Devine's voice is somewhat high and is often compared to those along the line of Brian Molko(this isn't a bad thing in my book). However Kill Hannah, while having a clear sense of history and influences, doesn't sound like a clone of any certain previous group, unlike so many other groups that get lumped into revivialists movements.

This is one of my favorate albums, simply for the power and spirit many of the songs display, which is then contrasted by the dreamy introspectiveness of the other tracks. Certain tracks such as "Kennedy" or "Boys and Girls" seem like they could shake the building from its foundations, while others explore familar themes of youthful anxiety and wonder, all in very dreamy tunes.

PS: if nothing else, seeing them live will convert you."