EP Review: Arsenic Kitchen - Handbook For The Recently Deceased (Deluxe)
by Jesse James Smith
Arsenic Kitchen has been a hot topic on GKE before. Last time we spoke about one of our favorite horror-core bands was for their song Devil’s Advocate! A song that was based in melodic melancholy having a catchy hook and somber lyrics. If you liked that song, you’re going to love the other 7 that it accompanies on their album “Handbook for the Recently Deceased”, taken from one of the best Halloween/Spooky movies ever, Beetlejuice.
Artwork for Handbook For The Recently Deceased (Deluxe EP)
Starting off strong with their opening track titled Cursed. One of the main influences I hear in their music is Black Veil Brides. Just like them, Arsenic Kitchen does a great job balancing Hard Rock and Metalcore elements and influences. You hear it best in the chorus and how it comes in and out of the verses. Having a driving backbeat with an aggressive guitar riff is the backbone of a hard rock chorus, and this has that executed perfectly. After an interlude track, It comes to the other single of the album, If Only. This track is more nostalgic and dancey. It’s a high energy song that is very danceable with the upbeat hihat beat. Another stand out track is the album's closing, Judgement. This is one of, if not the most aggressive tracks on the album and it also gives me nostalgic metalcore vibes. Channelling Bullet For My Valentine Poison era, The guitar riffs were flashy and aggressive while still being tasteful and easily enjoyable.
Arsenic Kitchen takes many influences and blends them into something that is their own. While I can pinpoint the inspirations, It always sounds fresh and new. With the re-rise of the “Horror-Core” bands, Arsenic Kitchen is in a league of their own. Going back and listening to their older material and I can hear the wheels turning and the direction, I feel this album is the best representation of that style and idea to date and it’s only up from here.
Give a listen to the EP here on Spotify!