Stikpin - Funeral For The Sun

Stikpin

Funeral For The Sun
self-released; 2014

3.3 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Stikpin are a four-piece band hailing from Hartford, Connecticut comprised of Chris Weller (vocals), Marco G (guitar), Jose (bass) and Leo Harper (drums). They formed in 2012 and recently released a full-length album entitled Funeral For The Sun. I have to be honest. As soon as I saw the font and the album cover I thought this guys are probably huge Slipknot fans and sound exactly like them (the font is nearly identical to Slipknot’s self-titled 1999 release). While there are some similarities between their sound and Slipknot’s they have more in common with bands like Godsmack and Alice In Chains. The lead singer Chris Weller seems to be conjuring Layne Staley’s ghost throughout most of the album. Weller not only sounds like Staley but also delivers his lines in ways that reminded of certain lines from certain songs.

Musically, the band is guitar-based and relies on distorted guitars, pumping bass lines and hard hitting drums. The music certainly is something you have heard before if you followed even surface level rock for the last twenty years. That being said, they deliver a number of enjoyable songs throughout their ten-song album 

The band starts out with a rocker called “As It Burns,” which immediately establishes the vibe you can expect throughout the duration of the album. It’s a catchy song that displays the band's strengths. There is a pretty badass guitar solo and the riffs throughout fall between grunge and Iron Maiden. “God Forsaken Earth” is a highlight that features some of the best riffs on the album while “Supernova” is another decent song amongst the batch.

If you like this style of music then you are in for a treat with Funeral For The Sun. A lot of the songs on the album are interchangeable and rely on similar structures as well as similar riffs. 

Stikpin has talent but may have to do a little bit of thinking as to what is going to separate them from the slew of other bands playing similar music (from the past as well as present). The material is well written and they deliver it well but it often lacks originality. 

For the time being Funeral For The Sun is a solid statement but if they want to grow their fan base they may need to experiment a bit and explore how they won't get pigeonholed as a ‘90s alternative/grunge act that has little relevance in 2014.

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