REVIEW

The debut EP from Maryland-based post-punk/darkwave band Computer Kill immediately establishes a sound that feels both familiar and sharply defined. Their shimmering guitar lines, layered synths, and romantic vocal delivery may initially recall House of Harm, yet the frequent eruptions of overdriven guitars and moments submerged in dense reverb suggest a notably shoegaze-leaning sensibility.

The EP opens with “Trouble,” a gothic disco track that glitters like a mirror ball, bringing to mind the club-ready darkness of acts such as Male Tears or Nuovo Testamento. This is followed by “Not Nomal,” where noisy, blown-out guitars are unleashed at full throttle, pushing the band’s sound toward a far more aggressive edge. “Haunted” closes the set with a dance-driven pulse highlighted by synth work that subtly echoes the cinematic textures associated with M83.

True to the band’s name, the EP is packed with what could reasonably be described as killer tracks, each emphasizing a different facet of their hybrid approach. For a debut release, the level of cohesion and finish is striking, suggesting a project that has already moved beyond tentative first steps.

Computer Kill’s appeal should extend well beyond core goth and darkwave circles. Shoegaze listeners may be drawn to the textural weight of the guitars, while fans of visual kei–adjacent aesthetics could find the dramatic contrasts and melodic sensibility equally compelling. With the band maintaining an active live presence—including a notable opening slot for CD Ghost in April 2024—their trajectory appears to be gaining steady momentum.