SLEIGH BELLS

Sleigh Bells released their sophomore album, entitled Reign of Terror, on February 21st, 2012 on Mom + Pop Music. Produced by guitarist Derek Miller, and written by Miller and singer Alexis Krauss, Reign of Terror is the highly anticipated follow up to 2010’s Treats.

Upon unleashing Treats into the world, Sleigh Bells quickly became the most exciting new band to emerge from their hometown of New York City. Treats’ deft, stylish combination of genres, sounds, and dynamics was simply unprecedented. The album’s own extreme volume was matched by the deafening roar of praise, landing the band everywhere and putting the record on over 50 year-end lists for 2010. Sleigh Bells toured behind Treats relentlessly, opening for the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Yeasayer and Major Lazer before headlining their own shows, many of which sold out in mere minutes. They played lauded, exhilarating sets at festivals around the globe, confirming their status as a sheer tour de force on the stage.

It is this intense live energy, coupled with the continued desire to carve out new musical terrain, which runs throughout their new album, Reign of Terror. Engineered by Shane Stoneback, who helped to record Treats, songs on Reign of Terror are as crushing and authoritative as their title suggests; they’re effortlessly robust and heavier than any of the band’s previous output, but more melodic as well, the sonic equivalent of a beautiful shotgun to the head. Packed densely with stomping beats, shredding Jackson guitar riffs, sinister ribbons of Alexis Krauss’ candy-coated vocals, and the cries of a pep rally gone terribly wrong, Reign of Terror is a record that, like its predecessor, redefines everything you think music can be.

“Every song on this album merges a noisy kick in the head with a pop enticement, as blasts of low-fi drums and loud guitar bracket girlish vocals. Each whipsaw only whets the appetite for more.” #8 Albums of the Year – New York Times

“Imagine the White Stripes fronted by Meg, powered by a malevolent drum machine, and bred on metal and hip-hop. Then pump your fist, bitch.” Best Albums of the Year – Rolling Stone

“It’s a take-no-prisoners album. Every track makes me feel as if I could rip my house off its foundation… it’s one of the year’s most potent and unforgettable recordings.” Top 10 Albums of 2010 – NPR

“Take a vintage ‘80’s Jackson guitar and strum thick-necked power chords. Take a vault of Kurtis Mantronik drum tracks and play ‘em on a blown-out ghetto blaster. Take a never-was teen-pop diva and let her howl. Take a look at Sleigh Bells – rock stars.” Best 40 Albums of 2010 – Spin

“…what the band are so carefully sculpting isn't diffidence, it's excitement: overdriven riffs, monster beats, and Alexis Krauss' layered babble all designed for chain-reaction impact…machine-gun beatbox, imperious riffing, and sing-song prettiness from Krauss. …mainly Sleigh Bells stick to their own, new-minted sound, and it helps the thrills stay fresh.” #16 Albums of 2010 – Pitchfork