Thanks to the blip-bloop revolution which seems to have converted everyone’s darling child into a character out of a ZX Spectrum game, we now have fully-fledged artists riding the neo-digital wave of synth-pop known as 8-bit. With their self-titled debut album, Pretoria foursome Kidofdoom have traded in flashy frontmen for a slick, vocal-free, Theremin-fuelled adaptation of the hip kids’ favourite genre.

The band performs live with glee, and, as is normally the case, the album fails to convey the energy of the live act. It’s the glee of the crowd and the musicians themselves gets lost when digitised. However, as a genuine, first-off attempt at – let’s face it – music that no South African group has ever produced, there are gems of musical beauty that make this one worth it.

There are genuine moments of classic rock on the heavily-toured album. Early crowd-pulling favourite Forest Fire ends with an outro guitar solo straight out of Pink Floyd‘s The Wall. Then, there are uptempo, half-beat dance-rock moments you may get from a David Bowie middle-eight. Also think Air, New Order, Sigur Ros, The Beams, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Nine Inch Nails. More influences than a chameleon on a Smartie box.

Cadillac of the Sky, another early venture, is a utopian mash up of catchy guitar licks and heavy synth washes. New single Doves is the standout track of the album, oscillating between overdriven rock guitar, minor-key keyboard riffs and layered basslines, all of which break through into drum-heavy metal-infused breaks. Again, a real hybrid offering.

Mysterious and ambivalent, the bland album features an average-looking white kid on the cover, but with not a shred of ‘doom’ to be found. The lower-case and handwritten text suggests a personal touch from a singerless band that seems to shy away from the limelight.

There is the potential in South African music to reach a scale never before seen. A level which will not only put hardworking bands of the creative strain on the map, but in the minds of the global community. Barend, Rykmaster, Joe and Richard keep time and key signature fresh and musically innovative with this one. Not bad, seeing as they are from Pretoria and all…

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