01. Intro 00:23
02. Robostar 02:36
03. Forever And A Day 02:09
04. Megamanic 02:19
05. Magic Kingdom 02:54
06. Dynamite Punch 02:02
07. The Low End Of Doom 02:28
08. Skeleton Key 02:25
09. Outro 00:24

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Earthburn Records is proud to announce the October 2011 release of ‘Kill Screen’, the second solo project from Salt Lake City recording artist, Mark Dago. The instantly accessible ‘Kill Screen’ blends the totally now sound of producer Fisch (Of Tooth & Nails’ Furthermore and local sure shots: Dani Lion & The Lazy Waves) with Mark’s focused delivery and fierce energetic lyrics. The result is a celebration of video game culture that crackles with pure synthetic tonal nostalgia.

‘Kill Screen’ seems like a forgotten artifact from years gone by. Clocking in at less than twenty minutes, this extended play is a rap dash of blippy and bloppy tunes, tinted with the sounds of rudimentary electronics, that echo many an Nintendo Entertainment System classic. Fisch’s handling of the eight bit enhanced chiptune-esque samples set the tone perfectly with the calculated catchy melodies of vintage 80’s and early 90’s video games. Never sounding as if they are engaged in battle with the other elements of the tune. Not relying on simple white noise and lo-fi bytes, Fisch assimilates the entire experience into a sonic spectacle without sacrificing innovation. On the track, ‘Dynamite Punch’ he effectively fuses Little Mac’s ‘Jogging Theme’ (of ‘Mike Tyson’s Punch Out’ circa 1987) with a brawling snappy break beat. The enigmatic Sinistar’s (Of the William’s game from 82’) digitized taunts are front and center on the EP’s second track, ‘Robostar’. And even Lauren Hoyt (Of Dani Lion) returns to lace ethereal harmonies to the chorus of ‘Magic Kingdom’. Making every word and note being something that you hang onto.

The lyrics are by no means static. Mark lays down introspective thoughts and super powered boom bap throughout the seven songs (minus the intro/outro). The micro hooks and percussive vocals reel us in, and as structures progress we find ourselves becoming more and more involved with it. His sound is simply more substantial, in every way, than in the past. Adding something unique, never aurally limited.

The ‘video game’ theme aside, its just good music that appeals to an entire generation who grew up mastering Nintendo and Atari alike. ‘Kill Screen’ sidesteps the ‘Nerdcore’ classification altogether while entering into a category all of its own. Modern day hip hop in disguise. In a pixelated world with an uncertain future, you will want to keep listening when ‘Kill Screen’ comes to an end.