Review: “Self Titled” by Silk Spinster

“This EP has been many years in the making. From being written in a bedroom to being performed in front of innumerable people, these tracks have taken on a life of their own and each tell their own stories. From crazy nights, to the slaying of monsters and lost love — it has it all.” ~ Silk Spinster

They say the first bite is with the eye but you should never judge a book by its cover. An aesthetic said to be inspired by George Miller’s Mad Max and Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th might paint Kingston Upon Hull natives Silk Spinster as an Industrial Nu-Metal outfit but nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, the four piece have far more in common with Traditional Heavy Metal bands, seemingly inspired by the likes of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden or perhaps even AC/DC. A theatrical introduction that feels like it was taken from a movie circa 1982 ushers in the mid tempo “Midnight Life” which finds vocalist Kye Coulson sounding not unlike Asking Alexandria frontman Danny Worsnopp. Gang chants and soloing makes it one you could expect to hear on the juke box at a biker bar, but you can’t help but feel that live, the four piece could squeeze another ten percent more energy out of this one. Ironically that’s exactly what they do with the song from which they take their name and in all honesty “Silk Spinster” would have made a better opening cut. Rich leads and a sing-a-long chorus with a glorious scream from Coulson before a flamboyant solo ensure the band have your attention, the pace and energy of this one making it an instant winner. How about some Sleazy Hair Metal? “White Lines” sounds like it was taken from the soundtrack to School Of Rock starring Jack Black, the kind of tune that would do well on American Hard Rock Radio. A lack of polish in production gives it a raw edge which makes it sound very much of era, giving it a nostalgic quality that fuels the notion.

Slowing things down for a ballad of a kind “Home” is one of those cuts that on first listen sounds a bit cringe worthy but grows on you over multiple listens. It might even end up being a guilty pleasure. The thing is, you can picture someone like Wednesday 13 taking this blueprint and making more off it, injecting some hammer horror tongue in cheek humour and a perhaps a little bit more flamboyance in the lead guitars and that would make a massive difference. That’s not to say the original is a bad song, it just feels a verse and chorus over long and lacks an edge. Returning to their core sound “Feel Your Fear” has the energy the previous cut lacked with a tempo shift into the final third and flaming solo that leaves the fretboard smouldering. There is even some guitar layering to give the impression of two where there is one. If the title didn’t give it away “Rockstar” is another ’80’s Hair Metal inspired tune that has the air of a good time about it if you can get over the wealth of clichés in the lyrics. A nostalgia trip down the left hand path that is memory lane, this record may end up being a gateway for younger fans into the older Worlds… [6.5/10]

1. Midnight Life
2. Silk Spinster
3. White Lines
4. Home
5. Feel Your Fear
6. Rockstar

“Self Titled” by Silk Spinster is out 1st August 2025