Being disillusioned by the current state of the world and the human race has become a somewhat universal feeling. Providing their own commentary at the despair of world events is SKAGS with their debut album ‘Digital Cage Of A Cursed Generation’.
Formed in suburban Athens in 2017, SKAGS describe themselves as 'alternative electronic psychedelic rock.' Using ‘Digital Cage Of A Cursed Generation’ as a conduit for a change, SKAGS bring a vast selection of synth heavy, atmospheric soundscapes for us to perhaps learn something about the way we perceive the world.
Introductory track ‘Turn It On’ confronts the demons we internalise while we sleepwalk through our lives. Nightwish inspired vocals muse on the festering inner monologue fixated on ‘whispered pain and fears’. Dream-like synths transport us through a fantasy world as we come to the synth-wave meat of the track where the first two lines of the song are repeated. Synths make way for cleaner prog-rock guitar riffs, adding to the sensation of needing to wake up, ‘escape myself’, ending the eternal loop.
It doesn’t take long for SKAGS to step into controversial territory. ‘Zak’ tells the story of Zak Kostopoulos, an LGBTQ activist who was brutally attacked in Athens before being surrounded by police who appeared to forcefully handcuff him. Kostopoulos died on the way to the hospital on September 21, 2018. As the story is told, a filtered bass heavy melody is contrasted with higher notes in simplistic fashion. The low tuned guitar work is perfectly understated as it lays the groundwork for a searing synth solo. The lyrics provide for
rightly uncomfortable listening. When the song returns to its sonic simplicity, we are reminded of George Floyd’s haunting final words ‘I can’t breathe’. ‘Zak’ has since been dedicated to Floyd and other victims of police brutality.
‘The Consequence Of Dream’ is a nod toward the notion of never giving up while chasing your dreams, stating ‘It is your chance to leave’. Distorted funk guitar juxtaposes the darker lyrical nature as the place you’ve outgrown now ‘stinks’ and ‘gore is on the wall’. In the closing moments of the track, the positive funk driven guitars dissipate into dark choral vocals. Epic synths are ominous as a much heavier guitar riff punctuates the end of the song and the dream.
Societal pressure to have an Instagrammable life every single weekend is SKAGS’ inspiration for ethereal track ‘The Weekend’. A drawn out guitar solo over a subtle, muted synth line, mimicking depletion as ‘the weekend is killing me’. Guitar work paves the way for a bass solo over a pulsating beat. Swelling synthesisers and the return of the opening solo completes the soundscape of the emotionally draining ‘only living in the weekends’.
Closing the record is a hybrid of prog-rock and grunge: ‘The Man Sitting Right Next Door’. Wails of ‘Sometimes I feel alone’ scream out for human connection, a sentiment many of us feel at this moment in time. The digital cage referred to in the album’s title becomes apparent; ‘People seem to know me only through a screen’, creating a strange disconnect not only with ourselves but with others. The album closes with a soaring guitar solo full of sorrow and lamenting for a time where this generation wasn’t cursed or trapped within its digital cage.
Sonically, the record is a synth laden prog-rock experience laced with a beautiful string section in 'Put Your Hands Down' and a Radiohead-esque moroseness in 'Drive Me Home.' 'Digital Cage Of A Cursed Generation' is a solid debut effort from SKAGS, full of individual moments to sink your teeth into.
Digital Cage Of A Cursed Generation is out now and available for purchase from the band’s website, and more information can be found at their social medias below.
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