Review Summary: The wolf in gentleman's clothing
It’s shocking where the human brain can find itself when your guard is down. Dark, intrusive thoughts that lurk through the call of our ancestral blood find themselves creeping in our consciousness from time to time. Maybe it’s the passing thought of how easy it could be to slam on the gas and mow down an unsuspecting pedestrian; or the brimming feeling of violently strangling the douchebag who cut you off on a turn. If not for the generations of humans developing beyond the need to act out on animal desires; and the fact that murdering an average joe on the side of the road is generally seen as “uncool” in society, it wouldn’t be surprising that many of these thoughts would come into fruition.
Without a doubt you’ve found yourself thinking, maybe even picturing these obtrusive ideas. Playing out scenarios or immersing yourself in these violent thoughts, but immediately you catch yourself, and the thoughts leave in a heartbeat. Leaving with nothing but a look of dumbfoundment written on your face. For most people, these thoughts live and die with the self-realization that they’re present. But for Daniel Kiranos, a man who breathes the art of murder; these intrusive thoughts, along with the aid of a banjo and a couple of drinks, are the birthing ground for “murderfolk” and it’s accompanying act Amigo the Devil.
Diggers, the second EP from Kiranos, explores many of the same recurring themes of murder and insanity familiar to the project’s previous; with a twist of ironic love tinged imagery and an expansive palette of instrumental background for exceptional flavor. Opening track
The Recluse, a song that takes inspiration from Ed Gein’s notorious fascination with the human skin, establishes Amigo’s desolate atmosphere perfectly. With the drawn out squeals of an electric guitar, and a quiet strum of an acoustic guitar, the two begin to gather speed and accompany one another in a hypnotic chugging riff that sees the added flavoring of a synth familiar to a low budget horror movie, harmonic choirs that mimic those of screams of a ghostly choir, and a cadence that matches Kiranos’ deceitfully calming vocals perfectly.
The song carries a first person narrative, whether it’s through the eyes of Amigo the Devil or Ed Gein himself is unknown. It’s narrative reflects the character’s confusion for their victim at hand, unsure of their intentions at their domain. Though this interest soon turns to boredom, and the woman of this story is disposed of. The most interesting aspect of this song is the narrative of the main character, who sees the victim as a figure for which they can lift their burdens from as if changeable like a coat.
The Dreamer and The Weight, the final tracks of the three track EP, deviate from the real world references in favor of a blend of love in the eyes of a delusional psychopath.
The Dreamer heavily implies the character’s attraction to the body of a long deceased love one, the hopeless romantic archetype in contrast to an ideal acoustic guitar love ballad, fit with the swaying of violins; and the morbid nature of implied necrophilia works perfectly in both the context of irony and as a happy go lucky love song. As for
The Weight, it explores the idea of the character finding a partner just as corrupted and empty as them, and spending a fulfilling life together. The songwriting here is as equally impressive of the former tracks, exploring the idea of both characters never being able to completely fill the voids both carry, pointing towards the need to wear “other faces” either figuratively or most likely literally and other like themes. Both of these tracks feature plucky guitar riffs in a bluegrass nature that give it a bustling energy matching the topic of insanity at hand.
Fun and morbid at just the right times, and with writing that explores the psyche of an out of reach murderer without ever being overbearing or underwhelming,
Diggers is an excellent entry in Kiranos’ catalogue, and a clear answer to how Kiranos has managed to create a cult following through his music.
