Reign of Terror by Sleigh Bells

In 2010 Brooklyn-based duo Sleigh Bells burst onto the music scene with a critically-acclaimed debut, Treats. Derek E. Miller, former guitarist for punk/hardcore band, Poison the Well met vocalist Alexis Krauss in a restaurant at which Miller was a server. They quickly hatched a plan to have Krauss sing on Miller’s self-produced, gritty rock tunes. Shortly after, the genre-defying Treats was released exclusively through the iTunes store. The pair found themselves touring the world and playing their brand of thrash-dance to hoards of adoring fans at large festivals like Coachella.

Nearly two years later, Sleigh Bells have released their sophomore album, Reign of Terror. Reign of Terror delivers ample amounts of the trademark Sleigh Bells sound: heavy, crunchy guitar riffs and massive, programmed beats are wonderfully balanced by Krauss’ distinct and feminine timbre.

The album blasts out of the gates with “True Shred Guitar,” a track that opens with the sounds of an anticipating crowd, mass amounts of feedback and Krauss screaming zealously to the crowd, “I want to see your f—in' hands in the air!” After a quick pause, Miller breaks the song wide open with a riff that would make Mick Mars proudly display the horns of metal on his raised fists.

Don’t be fooled though. Unlike Treats, which was a consistently heavier album, Reign of Terror offers up a smoother balance of calmer (and almost more ethereal) songs. Tracks like “End of the Line” and the most 80s sounding track on the album, “You Lost Me” are melodic and highlight Krauss’ true vocal talent, a welcomed reprieve from the bombastic sounds on the other tracks.

The band unveils a darker side during “Road to Hell.” The track is a bit repetitive but retains the overall energy on the album. The first single, “Comeback Kid,” is the most well composed track, and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.

While it’s hard to keep comparisons of the band’s two records out of the equation, it’s nice to see that Krauss and Miller have created an album that is just diverse enough without letting go of the elements that made them great. The album might not win any awards, but it’s sure to keep crowds dancing (and possibly moshing) for some time to come.