With October's arrival and the dark, mysterious autumn atmosphere, Arizona-based band Arsenic Kitchen surprises us today with the release of their new single video, 'If Only.' This captivating track, inspired by the classic film 'Beetlejuice,' captures the essence of both the movie and the season, blending their signature sound with a cinematic touch and making it the perfect soundtrack for this Halloween.
It is indeed correct to recognize that Arsenic Kitchen, who define themselves as a fusion of early 2000s alternative and modern post-hardcore, are completely true to both styles and embrace them as part of their inner essence. Each of their releases offers a complete range of diverse sonic elements characteristic of the era and the genre, in which bands like AFI, Aiden, and Ice Nine Kills shook the music scene with their disruptive aesthetics and dark themes.
In this way, Arsenic Kitchen, unlike the growing trend of opting for increasingly lower tunings, overusing breakdowns, and trying to look like protagonists of a post-apocalyptic movie, as many bands in the hardcore scene do today, have managed to stay true to this timeless and authentic style that goes far beyond just music. They establish themselves as a true time capsule, preserving that nostalgic essence of past decades while boasting a superior level of production.
“If Only” is undoubtedly their most ambitious offering to date. Released as a promotional single just a couple of weeks ago and featuring a spectacular music video inspired by Tim Burton's acclaimed work, this new chapter in the band's career has already accumulated over 5,700 streams on Spotify and more than 7,000 monthly listeners, demonstrating that their journey toward stardom is just taking off.
“Tim Burton has always told stories like we want to tell stories. Relatable and still mystical and creepy. This song is an homage to one of our favorite of his movies”.
- Arsenic Kitchen
“If Only,” despite its short duration of just 2 minutes and 44 seconds—considerably shorter by today’s standards—manages to deliver an incredibly intense and solid offering from start to finish, showcasing the same magic as its original film counterpart, which only needed 1 hour and 32 minutes to become one of the most recognized works in history of cinema.
Beginning explosively with a captivating progression of fifth chords and a highly energetic rhythm, this spectacular composition unfolds in an incredibly dynamic manner throughout its extension, offering a remarkable experience where music and visual narrative intertwine to give rise to a unique contemporary piece of work where its spectacular music video pays attention to every little detail.
From the choice of location and camera angles to the careful handling of the color palette and the band members' outfits, each and every element perfectly embodies the captivating and poetic narrative led by Lucas Fulmer, the band's vocalist. With his innate talent, not only as a singer but also as a lyricist, he manages to immerse the audience in a dark story that is simultaneously fun and easy to listen to. This represents a significant achievement not only for the band but also establishes new paradigms where 'musical elitism' and compositional complexity are no longer the formula for success.
Musically, “If Only” feels like an incredibly robust yet minimalist offering that plays with the nostalgia and dynamism of genres such as post-hardcore, metalcore, and pop-punk. It delivers everything a "grown emo kid" could desire. Jonathan Bresar stands out on drums with an impressive performance, while Blake W. Miller contributes powerful riffs and incredibly heavy breakdowns on guitar.
In addition to this essential combination, Lucas's vocal duality, which spans from catchy choruses to short sections with guttural voices, adds to the sonic richness of this piece, ensuring that each musical ingredient is present in just the right measure. This allows every instrument and sound to find its place in the mix and within the song's structure, resulting in a highly captivating piece that easily connects with the audience's deepest feelings, leaving even the most discerning listeners satisfied.
“If Only,” officially released on September 13, 2024, comes as the direct follow-up to their previous single “Burn to the Ground” and stands as their fourth release this year, establishing a steady and firm pace that clearly indicates this will undoubtedly be a year of many more successes for the band and surprises for their fans.
If you enjoyed “If Only,” we invite you to check out Arsenic Kitchen’s complete discography, which you can find at the following >link< and is definitely worth experiencing. Also, don’t forget to follow them on their social media to stay updated on their latest news and upcoming releases!