by emma schoors
White Reaper’s recent cover of The Cleaners From Venus’ “Only A Shadow” is equal parts eerie and soulful, and it, much like the rest of the band’s work, is well worth the listen.
White Reaper have established themselves as a truly talented up-and-coming rock band. With gritty vocals and tight guitars provided by lead singer/guitarist Tony Esposito and guitarist Hunter Thompson, they know their way around their equipment, but maintain an effortlessly cool sound. 2019’s “You Deserve Love” was an explosion of catchy, well-structured riffs and memorable lyrics. Bassist Sam Wilkerson’s parts are driven and insanely rad, notably in “Real Long Time” and “Ring.” Rightfully so, the band has been gaining notoriety as one to look out for. Only time will tell where White Reaper is headed, but with the dedication to great music and gripping stage presence that they have, the only reasonable way is up.
“Only A Shadow” is a brilliant balance of dreamy and creepy. Esposito’s voice is unique and well controlled, allowing for seamless note changes: notably directly after the chorus, which rings “She looks like you.” While his vocals fit perfectly into White Reaper’s discography, they fit equally well in this cover. Drummer Nick Wilkerson leads the song with a simple groove, which sets the mood beautifully. Wilkerson has tricks up his sleeve, for sure, as demonstrated by his work in the more upbeat White Reaper songs, but sometimes the most effective part is also the simplest.
The band is highly creative with their sound, and this cover furthers that theory. If you’re looking for a genuinely fun band with high quality music, look no further than White Reaper.