Knifing Around - Vivisect

​Knifing Around

Vivisect
self-released; 2026

​By ​Dino DiMuro​​​

A Richmond, Virginia band called Knifing Around sounds totally scary, like someone could easily get slashed and bleed. But they also describe their sound and persona as "Dance, fun, and more dance!" so even with an album titled Vivisect we're probably safe from cuts! Knifing Around are David Long (guitar), Gabe de los Santos (drums), Jack Wolfe (bass guitar/synthesizers) and Owen Martin (vocals, synthesizers).

Knifing Around describe this collection as "our most mature, dense, and darkly sinuous work to date; an album that cuts deep while still hitting with undeniable dance floor momentum." They are known for their "explosive blend of industrial textures, new wave precision and sharp-edged emotional honesty." They've been influenced by artists like Nine Inch Nails, DEVO and LCD Soundsystem, melding a unique blend of hook-driven rhythms, serrated synths and wry social commentary. Production and mixing was by vocalist-synthesist Owen Martin, with mastering by Mitch Clem at Go West.

"Believe" is a great first track to set the "Vivisect" template: bouncy 80's synths and insinuating, vaguely English 80's-style vocals. I'm half tempted to see if I have this on 12" vinyl! The chorus has rapidly picked, reverb-heavy guitars like "OK Computer" Radiohead. Definitely feels like a synth pop hit! "Go Alone" changes up the pattern quite suddenly, with Zappa-like wah wah guitar, nasty Jagger-like vocals, funky beats and big orchestral banks of synths. There's even a constant elbow-in-the-ribs effect like the song "Beverly Hills" (sorry guys!).

"Does It Linger" starts as a cool studio construction with eerie noises and echoes, then settles on a DEVO-like arrangement behind gut-busting vocals (literally! Is this guy ALWAYS clenching?). The title track "Vivisect" breaks from the pack with a propulsive arrangement with moments of prog-metal majesty. There's less here musically than meets the ear, but played all together, the guys totally sell it!

"The Colossal" lets us take a breather with a "Riders On The Storm" style instrumental (including synthetic ocean waves). After all the rowdy bombast, this one's almost hypnotic. "Bodysnatchers" presents its creepy lyrics with an arrangement that seems inspired by cicadas. Less dancing here and more hiding in the closet! "Mind Bent" has a steady, sensuous and irresistible beat with robotic crunchy riffage, while Martin signs conspiratorially over the top.

"Broken Glass" feels like it's constructed with funky broken riffs and has the added benefit of Beach Boys-like Moog swoops along with the "big band" trumpet overdubs of Sebastian Ford. Ford is also on the next track, doing more of a solo film noir vamp. "Paralyzed" is a very short capper with very cool sounds, like feedback bubbles sped up 100x.

As a fan of DEVO and other 80's synth pop, there was a lot here that rang my tuning fork. Bet you'll like it too!

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