The title sounds a lot like a 1980’s straight to video Kung Fu classic. I expect Bolo Yeung to guest somewhere and some bad dubbing.

However, my Blockbuster nostalgia is damned. The 16 Deaths of My Master is in fact the third album by American multi-instrumentalist Dylan Neal under the Thief guise. Dylan was known for playing the hammered Dulcimer in post blackists Botanist for three years. Now living in a Buddhist retreat he brings his love for experimental electronics, trippy percussion and tribal chants together for this 16 track collection.

Something must be in the water as this is the second album I have reviewed today that slips Doctor Who like to the 1990’s . Thief has all the hallmarks of late 90’s alternative electrorock. Little bit Filter, little bit NIN, some Marilyn and a bit of the Bristol sound mixed in as well.  “Gorelord” especially has the life of Brian (Warner) running through it with a bit of Numan and synthy Stranglers on board.

Overall, the album is a long-haul flight. 16 tracks is overbearing and a bit overboard outside of grind or death but it could have been more. Dylan wrote 24 tracks between 2018 and 2020 all exploring themes of rebellion, grief, addiction and mysticism before trimming to the collection now released.  Despite the expansive tracklist I find myself digging that this Thief has in his swagbag.  A lot of it is very retro as mentioned before and I feel like I am at the club featured in the movie Strange Days – lots of reverb, choral stabs, grainy hissy beats – I expect a load of dreadlocked bassists to attack me with Hooch bottles any minute.

However there are some great groovers in here “Apple Eaters” has a great synthwave meets Eurodance vibe – I even get a bit of a Goldie tip as well without the actual D and B.  Nice big synth chords and neon vibes with a funky bass.  “Teenage Satanist” has a chopped up Poppy (the artist not style) vibe which is interesting with a male vocal over the staccato stop motion puppet style.

There are a tonne of cliches throughout – Mr Neal wears his influences on his sleeve – Grave Dirt is Trent worship with a hefty dollop of Nu Metal ladled on top and 6th form poetry lyrics. I am the zeitgeist Bastard snake eyes? C’mon now. But y’know what as cynical as it makes me, I don’t hate it.  “Lover Boy” has a good beat that a new school rap kid should steal and make their own to add some oomph.

After listening to the whole album I have come to the conclusion that this is a vanity project by a very talented musician. You know what – every time anyone records anything it is a vanity project. It is to create something and to say “Hey I think this is great I wanna share it with the world”.

“The 16 Deaths of My Master” is a few great ideas and some great beats and tracks spread a little too thin for my liking. Of the 16 there are around 6 slices of greatness and another 10 good ideas that could be remixed and added to by other musicians. As I said before I think a lot of the beats would make great hip hop backgrounds – I can really hear some fresh bars spit all over these spacey bumpers. Some have an old El-P vibe.

I would be interested to hear what would happen if Dylan joined up with some other people and let his genius have some quality control and a bit more chutzpah.

(6/10 Matt Mason) 

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https://thief-official.bandcamp.com/album/the-16-deaths-of-my-master