We Bring Em’ in Dead by The Bounty Killers–EP Review
We Bring Em’ in Dead by The Bounty Killers–EP Review
The eponymous title track from Austin, Texas-based band The Bounty Killers’ first EP We Bring Em’ in Dead starts as if rising from the mists of a dank, dark swamp. Silas Spllendor’s (great name by the way!) harmonica wheezes between languid reverb-drenched guitar licks reminiscent of Robby Krieger’s in “The End”. Singer Benji Snyder’s deep baritone pipes up in a hauntingly campy tone crooning of painting the town red a la High Plains Drifter and bringing in the clowns. It’s an effective juxtaposition of eerie music with absurdist western imagery that gives the song a uniquely dark, psychedelic country vibe. The only slight mood variation comes as a stinging guitar solo from guitarist Mac Mitchell.
Evan Taylor
“Medusa Digital” rumbles in with a subtle but swaggering blues riff and Snyder laments “Hey there Medusa, I really coulda used ya”. Mitchell possesses a unique guitar style that combines traditional blues rock with an almost horror movie feel. His tone suggests the answer to the question: “What if blues legend Hubert Sumlin were playing in 2025?” When joined with Snyder’s vocals, the dark ambiance pulls the listener deep into The Bounty Killers’ world of warped Western psychedelia.
The third song on the EP “Scorpio Bolo” stands out for its simple straightforward country balladry. Snyder shows his softer side despite professing “a scorpion’s tail am I” and expressing the common country music lament of being lonely at the bar, complete with neon haze and the jukebox playing Lost Highway songs. But, unlike most songs of this nature, Snyder gets the object of his affection in the end. Mitchell displays a beautifully twangy but smooth guitar styling that’s both familiar and strange.
Benjy Snyder
Blending country twang with psychedelia, the Bounty Killers certainly have a unique sound. It is no small feat to combine the influences on display here, but they do it in a fun, creepy, and mind-bending way. This EP is deliciously dark and weird enough to hold the interest of even the most casual fan of country/western or psychedelic music.
Media Inquiries: bountykillersband@gmail.com
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