• Guitars
  • Bass
  • Keyboard
  • Recording
  • Computer Audio
  • Live Sound
  • Drums
  • DJ
  • Accessories

zZounds

  • Gear
    • Features
    • News
    • Gear History
  • Guide
    • Guitar Workbench
    • Studio Solutions
    • Beat Connection
    • Behind The Kit
    • On The Decks
    • The Oscillator
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Legends
    • Gear Demos
    • Live Streams
    • Perfect Pairings
    • Iconic Rigs
  • Interview
    • Artist Interviews
    • Meet the Makers
  • Music
    • The Musical Almanac
    • Music Features
  • Walking The Floor

Uncle Acid & the deadbeats – The Night Creeper

Uncle Acid and the deadbeats -- The Night Creeper

If creepiness is a virtue, then English band Uncle Acid & the deadbeats possesses it in spades. For an album that opens with the lines, “There’s a man who’s just been waiting here all night long/As he watches you he’s smiling there all alone,” the band’s fourth full-length, The Night Creeper, sets an eerie tone right from the beginning. Uncle Acid, known for their heavy grooves, dark lyrics, and fiendishly overdriven electric guitar riffs, expand and improve their style on The Night Creeper. Also similar to the band’s previous releases, this is an unabashed concept album at its core, featuring complex storytelling with recurring themes stretching throughout the entire record. While the music on the LP is fantastic, the album brilliantly unfolds once the lyrics are considered.

Just like a highly entertaining horror movie, The Night Creeper methodically reveals its dark secrets at just the right pace, all while setting the mood with a killer soundtrack. As the title suggests, the album’s story revolves around the eponymous Night Creeper, a character that reminds me of a Jack the Ripper type — a creep hiding in the shadows, patiently stalking his next victim among the streets of a seedy area of town. Without revealing more of the plot (check it out for yourself!), Uncle Acid patiently divulges several more riveting details that end up fleshing out a truly compelling narrative. Eventually concluding with a twist (at least in my interpretation), The Night Creeper could be turned into a pretty rad, yet terrifying, full-length movie.

Sharing the spotlight with the story, the music perfectly sets the mood for each “chapter” of the story. The brooding groove of the title track, “The Night Creeper,” lends a proper dose of anxiety that seamlessly fuses with the lyrical content. The rhythm of “Inside” drives forward like a passionate gallop toward redemption, however, the ever-present and foreboding guitar riff makes it feel as if said redemption is always just out of grasp. The entire record features lead singer/guitarist Kevin Ryan (K.R.) Starrs sounding like a banshee wailing into the night, with his double tracked vocals cutting right through the heaviness of the band. The guitar tones are just as saturated and angry as their previous efforts, with plenty of power tube distortion — and wicked solos — throughout. Whenever I take a listen, a vision of gigantic, road-worn full stacks with the volumes dimed comes to mind. Ultimately, the entirety of The Night Creeper materializes itself as the uneasy feeling you get from being alone, while in back of your mind you know somebody’s watching you. It’s exactly this visceral feeling that makes The Night Creeper such a complex, fulfilling record. Just dim the lights, put on the album, crank the volume, and enjoy.

Sep 23, 2015Sergio
Audio7 years ago Music Features
Sergio

I'm the Product Merchandiser and Copywriter for all things guitar at zZounds. I enjoy melting faces on guitar, banging on drums all day, and binge-watching Game of Thrones.

Fender Acoustic Pro and Acoustic SFX AmplifiersFive Tips to Get More from Your Gear

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

 Latest Tweets 
  • zZounds LIVE - Interview with Mat Koehler https://t.co/i94RgLmFxA
  • .@prsguitars has expanded their SE line with coveted instruments that were only available as Core models -- until n… https://t.co/ECbonyZXuF
 Social Networks 
 About zZounds 
Since 1996, zZounds has been making it easy for musicians to get the gear they need. With our easy monthly payment plans, you can get the music gear you need today -- and split the cost into monthly installments on your existing credit card. zZounds ships from multiple warehouses across the continental United States, so we can cover most of our customers within a day or two. Our customer service team is staffed with real musicians. They don't get paid on commission -- they get paid to help you! Looking for the best prices? Don't miss our Big Deals weekly specials, Used Gear on Clearance, and The Drop for monthly promos, sales, and special offers.
 Contact Us 
Have questions or comments on our blog? Email blog@zzounds.com

zZounds Gear Experts are available seven days a week to answer any of your questions on gear, shipping, returns, and more. Give us a call and get help from a fellow musician today!
800-ZZOUNDS (800-996-8637)
2022 © zZounds Music | Cookie Settings | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell | Copyright | Terms of Use
For great deals on gear, shop at zZounds