Khi (6-track Demo) By Steve Rudd

This quartet's high-octane How Would I Know anthem might thematically speak of all the time that people tend to waste in life, during non-productive days that serve nobody and nothing. To the contrary, this hugely exciting Hull band (that has been on the go for some years now) most definitely isn't wasting either their time or ours by producing funkily rocking music of this caliber.

A welcome change to the legions of bands kicking around Hull and plying their indie rock 'n' roll music (bands such as The Paddingtons and The Landaus, although no offence is intended to them because they are great bands too), it's about time a band like Khi came along to shake affairs up and quite simply rock out. Here presenting a thoroughly engaging six-track, twenty-five-minute long debut of head-twisting proportions, towering frontman Rob admits that one of his favourite bands is Rage Against The Machine (whose influence can be dramatically heard - and felt - in Khi's own music), but these guys really are forging a highly individual sound all their own. Their music is of the Metal variety, but to pigeonhole their work in such a manner would be unfair.. because Khi really isn't just another metal band. They are different, and that's what's exciting - with a strong fan base due in part to them having done very well indeed in a Best Original Band competition that raged on in Hull earlier in the year. Their music is intelligent, mature and genuinely emotion-soaked. The super-strength guitar riffs from axeman Dan do sound bold and confident, yet some of the lyrical themes deftly deal with a multitude of insecurities that life and love can throw our way, with Rob's versatile vocals being brilliantly injected with heart and soul.

Opening tune Eternity immediately introduces their brand of sky-scraping guitar riffage, while Rob's vocals flit from rap attitude to a more soulful demeanor come the well-produced chorus: My mind gets thrown into this strange land.. I just won't fade away.

These guys sure do possess an uncanny ability to write memorable songs, and this is largely due to the fact that they clearly realise the importance of having an outstanding chorus rooted at the core of all their songs. White Lies, propelled by a funky guitar melody, has another supremely cool, kick-ass and straight-shooting chorus at its heart before a short-but-sweet musical interlude brings home the essential presence of the bass-line in their proceedings, courtesy of the relatively new band member in JJ. My Hero is buoyed up by the demo's most fragile and frankly beautiful melody that precedes the tune's far heavier chorus, which is also one of their most catchiest (Can I give it all away? Can I give it to you today? Can I give it to you my friends?), before a wicked Brian May-styled solo makes its presence felt. Exquisitely moody and darkly compelling, My Hero then gives in to the complex charms of Breathless, with subtle guitar and bass guitar interplay setting such an extraordinary and compelling mood prior to Rob's edgy, well-controlled and soul-powered growl suggesting that Khi could quite easily dip in and out of harsher Goth-Metal territory if they so wished.

Still, my overall favourite song of this truly amazing demo is the final track and the one I mentioned first. How Would I Know is, simply, one of those anthems that you just have to crank up to the max and enjoy. It's loud, fast and exhilaratingly vibrant and - I think - would be a great single to release in the future, superbly anchored by Matt Hackett's thunderous drumming.

In spurts, Khi can remind of the aural-attacking pleasures of the Foo Fighters and Disturbed. Khi is far more than just a metal band. They smear and weave more heart and soul down their sleeves and into their music than most bands could ever even dream about doing. Khi, quite possibly, is what's missing from Ying and Yang to appease your very existence. So get yourself to Hull and savour the cool. 5/5 Please check out khi.rocks.it for more information (yes, there is no need to pre-empt the website address with 'www' for some reason), or E-mail khi_rocks@hotpop.com

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