Canadian ensemble Kittie is a key part of our modern metal history. Emerging with their debut album Spit in 1999, the band were initially considered part of the nu-metal movement before shifting out of that subgenre further into darker and heavier realms. They were a part of the era in which metal was seeing rapid expanse of bands and artists not only in terms of styles and subgenres, but also in terms of wider representation. Kittie played a significant role in representing women in the genre. Starting as teenagers, an early world-wind career of six albums and numerous tours occurred in quick succession. 2011 saw the release of I’ve Failed You which was the band’s last full studio album, until now. Kittie’s Origins/Evolutions documentary, released in 2018, lifted the curtain on some of the events and circumstances surrounding the band that lead to their hiatus.
Now, in 2024, Kittie have made an explosive return with Fire. Kittie explores their expansive stylistic range across the full length, from their first single Eyes Wide Open that is a brutal offering leaning into death metal, to the more melodic We Are Shadows. The quartet have chosen to take on a more modern production sound across Fire that’s befitting the 2024 metal landscape, while still remaining grounded in more traditional and extreme metal styles.
The album’s opener and title track, Fire, makes quite the entrance with an alluring combination of enticing clean vocal harmonies, demonic bellowing harsh and intense rhythmic instrumentation. Percussion drives the momentum through each verse before igniting the full-throttle chorus. From the off, Kittie presents a dark and sinister side woven through a dynamic combination of driving rhythms and melodic leads and vocal lines. I Still Wear This Crown unleashes an assault of groove amid an eerie atmosphere. Fierce shrieks add a touch of black metal into the mix and contrast with the soaring chorus hook. Only two tracks in and Fire is already awash with catchy riffs, motifs and melodies.
Consumed in the anguished-fuelled opening scream, Kittie has produced a fierce sound in Vultures. Haunting backing harmonies in the first verse add an unexpected and jarring element, enhancing the morbid character of the song. Yet, Kittie’s lyrical chorus hook is one that is certain to get audiences singing along. Progressing into the latter half of Fire’s track list, it notably delves even further into the shadows. There is a gloomy aspect to be found manifesting in Wound’s chorus. Surrounded by fast-paced intensity, the switch up in tempo highlights this emphasis. The following One Foot In The Grave bursts its way in. This powerful anthemic track sees lyrical hooks with percussive accompaniment combine with Kittie’s heavy sound.
Are You Entertained, emerges as one of the darkest songs on the album, both musically and lyrically. The song continues with Kittie’s formidable high-speed instrumentation, layered vocals and sees subtle discordant touches present throughout. The pounding rhythms of Grime inject further brutality, it’s a fitting penultimate offering inpreparation for the final onslaught, Eyes Wide Open. The big riffs of Eyes Wide Open, the first single to land from the album, accompany fiery harsh vocals, and unceasing energy across the instrumental parts making for an epic conclusion.
One of the most notable points of this album is that Kittie have stayed true to themselves. Their sound has clearly developed and the production quality clearly matches 2024 standards, but it still retains their core heavy metal sound. They haven’t forced themselves into a new form, merely embracing what suits their style. Fire is non-stop riffs, ferocity and showcases of Kittie’s raging passion for metal.
For fans of: Otep, Type O Negative, Mushroomhead
‘Fire’ by Kittie is released on 21st June on Sumerian Records.
Words by Holly Royle
