What did blink-182 say about Halloween on Christmas? Dead Things' cover of this teen drama theme tune is a fiendishly fun dance metal anthem all year round.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Spellman got a face-melting facelift when Dead Things decided to give it the metalcore treatment.
I'll admit it: I have never seen the Teenage Witch reboot. But I'm rethinking my puritanical devotion to the original series after hearing this.
With the lyrics already teeming with macabre imagery, metal outfit Dead Things saw an opportunity to put a heavier spin on the haunting pop-rock tune. The result is a fast-paced, dynamic track filled with down-tuned guitars menacing drum fills-
And yes. There is a breakdown.
The impressive range of lead singer Derek Dillon charts the horror-tinged ambience as it moves from section to section. Layers of clean, fry, and guttural vocals contrast sharply against the smooth falsettos of the chorus, this cinematic style slippage emphasised as the drums alternate between rock and disco grooves. Distorted guitars emulate the thrumming pulse of a nightclub, reminiscent of Swedish dance metallers Amaranthe.
This melodic and tongue-in-cheek dance-rock element is an anchor of sorts. It allows the song to toe that fine line of heaviness, making it enjoyable not only to fans of metal music, but to fans of the original too.
That being said, the track is in no way soft. Its metalcore heart bleeds thick black blood throughout; it's a skillful, meticulously-crafted, transformative homage to the legacy of Sabrina, whetting our appetites for the upcoming comic book series and whatever else Dead Thing may have up their sleeves....
Stream singles Straight To Hell and Rose Gardens by Dead Things on Spotify and Apple Music!
Author: Jasmine GW