Arsenic Kitchen tells fun and exciting song full of storytelling with “If Only”

Written by Jesse James Smith

Before we jump into today’s review, We have to acknowledge the name of this band. “Arsenic Kitchen” might just be one of the best band names in the business. This should have given it away for me that this band has a way of expressing themselves in clever ways. Arsenic Kitchen is based out of Arizona. With their first releases dating back to 2019, this band has been making waves in their local scene generating a nice buzz and for good reason. This theatrical band wears their influences on their sleeve but distances themselves enough to where they have a sound of their own. Their new single ‘If only’ is the perfect example and that’s the song I’ll have my sights set on for today! 

The band in their own words are “A Fusion of 2000’s Alternative & Post Hardcore” and after listening a couple times over, they absolutely are. The dance beat that opens the song and carries it most of the way is just so ear pleasing. That mixed with the unique vocals are a recipe for a great song. My first instinct was to draw a parallel between them and Coheed and Cambria, the vocals not being the same but within the same style of skilled projection. The song itself is a short song coming under 3 minutes and they jam pack this song full of musical wonder. The vocalist shows his range by both singing and screaming equally as well which always blew my mind. The chorus is upbeat and catchy, but when you start the song and have a dance beat in your verses, it’s hard to not be upbeat. Towards the ending build and breakdown I really heard the other parallel. In their influences, they name Ice Nine Kills, and if you’re a fan of that band from the last 3 albums you may try to say it’s the image or the story telling aspect, which I now, disagree. This song really reminds me of the old Ice Nine and the ‘Safety in the Shadows’ era which is where I came to love them. The dual vocals that go back and forth in quick succession and the stylistic choices they make on how they deliver that brought me right back to hearing ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ and I was so blown away how they could nail that sound without being a copy. This song also has a music video that is based off of the Tim Burton classic “Beetlejuice”. With the new movie coming out, this was a super solid idea and delivery with it not being completely on the nose but just enough to be a knockout! 

There is a reason this band is getting some love and it’s because they deserve it! Their talent and risk taking has been paying off and I would love to see where they continue to go after this. I would encourage anyone who likes the theatrical post hardcore to give this a shot and I bet they become an instant save.

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