Oklahoma-based heavy psychedelic band Helen Kelter Skelter has recently released a new track, “Best Friends,” which is part of their upcoming EP scheduled for a June release on Tulsa label Horton Records. The track showcases the band’s established wild-yet-tuneful style while still exploring new ways to keep things fresh.
“Best Friends” opens with a strong guitar riff that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the track. The band fearlessly jousts in several directions, with a Hawkwind versus Krautrock tug-of-war that dives into a Sabbatherian outro complete with extra trippy percussion. The song is a quick and compelling ride that will appeal to fans of Black Mountain but also to those who prefer a more song-conscious path. The melody in the EP’s closer, “Chill,” shows the band’s ability to incorporate catchy melodies into their psychedelic sound.
Helen Kelter Skelter’s sound is trademarked by a reverb-drenched, chill vibe that is present in “Best Friends” and throughout the upcoming EP. The band has been active in the music scene for a solid decade, releasing an EP and two full-length albums, all to decent acclaim. They have shared the stage with big names like Polyphonic Spree, The Sword, Dead Meadow, And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Pallbearer, Broncho, Blushing, Sun & Stone, Ringo Deathstar, Rainbows Are Free, and countless others.
The pandemic had disrupted the band’s schedule and plans, but they have made productive use of the supposed “downtime.” The band recorded the new EP in December 2019 at an undisclosed church in northwest Oklahoma City, showcasing their established sound while also exploring new ways to keep things fresh. In addition, they recorded an additional batch of songs at Breathing Rhythm in Norman, and are prepping for their third full-length LP to be released in October, also on Horton Records.
Helen Kelter Skelter’s patience and work ethic seem to be paying off as they continue to create highly creative and compelling music. Their live schedule hasn’t relented, and shows for 2023 are ramping up even more. “Best Friends” is an excellent addition to the band’s discography, and it is sure to impress both old and new fans alike.
In conclusion, Helen Kelter Skelter’s new track, “Best Friends,” is a must-listen for anyone who loves psychedelic and heavy music. The band’s established sound is present while also exploring new ways to keep things fresh, making the track a quick and compelling ride for fans. Helen Kelter Skelter is firing on all cylinders, and there isn’t a better time to catch them live. The band’s upcoming EP and LP are highly anticipated and are sure to impress. Helen Kelter Skelter deserves your attention, and “Best Friends” is just a taste of what they have to offer.
ABOUT THE BAND:
It’s been an odd and unpredictable past few years but for Oklahoma heavy psychedelic mainstays Helen Kelter Skelter, it hasn’t all been a wash. Thus far, HKS has enjoyed a fairly typical indie band trajectory. A solid decade in, they’ve released an EP and two full length albums: 2015’s self-titled debut and 2018’s Melter, both to decent acclaim. All the while, they’ve kept busy playing local and regional shows, sharing the stage with Polyphonic Spree, The Sword, Dead Meadow, And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Pallbearer, Broncho, Blushing, Sun & Stone, Ringo Deathstar, Rainbows Are Free and countless others. Things had been looking bright. But then, like with all bands, the pandemic happened, and schedules and plans got scrapped. Thankfully, HKS eventually made productive use of the supposed “downtime” and got to work – the first results of which will see daylight on their new EP scheduled for an April release on Tulsa label, Horton Records. Recorded in December 2019 at an undisclosed church in northwest Oklahoma City, HKS’s new EP showcases the band’s established wild-yet-tuneful style while still showing off new ways to keep things fresh. With their trademarked, reverb-drenched, chill vibe intact, the band fearlessly joust in several directions – all successfully – whether it’s the Hawkwind versus Krautrock tug-of-war in EP opener ‘Best Friends’ which brilliantly dives into a Sabbatherian outro complete with extra trippy percussion or if it’s the slow and lurching ‘Sceptre,’ summoning Red-era King Crimson with its ominous shifting time signatures with Eastern-tinged riffs that twist uneasily but resolve just in time before becoming sinister. It’s a quick and compelling ride for fans of Black Mountain but who also might desire a more song-conscious path – for the quickest evidence, check out guitarist/vocalist Eli Wimmer’s melody in the EP’s closer ‘Chill.’ The good news doesn’t end there. The band recorded an additional batch of songs at Breathing Rhythm in Norman and are prepping for their third full-length LP to be released in October, also on Horton Records. Appropriately, their live schedule hasn’t relented and shows for 2023 are ramping up even more. This highly creative and capable band is firing on all cylinders and there isn’t a better time to catch them. Helen Kelter Skelter deserve your attention. And after an uncertain number of years, one thing has become certain: their patience and work ethic seem to be paying off.
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