Sonic Innovations and the Electronic Journey of “Death In Vegas”
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In the world of electronic music, “Death In Vegas” has cemented its unique brand. Initiated by Richard Fearless and Steve Hellier in 1994, the English act has consistently pushed boundaries. Their early days saw them released their first album under the name “Dead Elvis” due to copyright restrictions, an album that fused together a diverse range of electronic sub-genres. The departure of Hellier brought Tim Holmes into the fold, the architect behind the mixing techniques of the debut album.
“Death In Vegas” has never been afraid to evolve, and the arrival of the group’s sophomore album, “The Contino Sessions”, was evident. The album showcased a shift towards more live instrumentation alongside an impressive roster of guest vocalists, including Iggy Pop, Bobby Gillespie and Jim Reid, with electronic elements still intertwined. Their track “Dirge”, emanating from this album, gained nationwide recognition, subsequently earning the band a nomination for Mercury Music Prize in 2000.
The band went out to explore the rhythmic limits of techno with hits like “Scorpio” during their hiatus before releasing their third album, “Scorpio Rising”. The title, taking after Kenneth Anger’s avant-garde film’s ethos, and its songs embarked on a path of significant adulation from advertisers and filmmakers alike. Fueling this rise, their track “Hands Around My Throat”, featured in Sony Ericsson’s advertisement and the soundtrack for “The Animatrix”.
Their techno journey continued, leveraging the cadence of iconic tracks from Kraftwerk in their fourth album, “Satan’s Circus”, an independent release from their label, Drone Records. The album, shying away from guest vocal appearances, comprised a double pack edition featuring live performances from their “Scorpio Rising” tour.
The breadth of their work extended into producing tracks for Oasis, adding another dimension to their career before their next album, “Trans-Love Energies”, featuring the vocal talent of Katie Stelmanis from Austra alongside Richard Fearless. Their sixth studio album, “Transmission”, saw the inclusion of writer and sex symbol Sasha Grey, further exploring the darker edges of the electronic music boundary, gaining exposure from platforms like Vice, DJ Harvey, and the movie, Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
With their seventh studio album “Death Mask”, set to release in 2025, “Death In Vegas” presents their latest sonic exploration. Embracing the rough, unpolished side of techno, Fearless confides that the influences on this album are vast, ranging from experimental noise-rock of Ramleh to minimalist drones of Mika Vainio. The raw texture of “Death Mask” is an intriguing blend of challenging rhythmics and immersive electronic manipulation. It’s like stepping into a psycho-acoustic trip, echoing the gritty persona of bands like Sunn O))) and the compelling intensity of Underground Resistance.
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