While the signature Irish-punk sound of The Killigans earliest days is still apparent on its newest album, the band explores some new territory as well, offering listeners inspired storytelling to go along with drinking anthems that will make for some rowdy live shows. Bagpipes, mandolins and two-minute track times dominate the album, but at times the band sounds more reminiscent of bands like Bad Religion. The hard driving drum tempo and pulsating guitars of “Santo Anno” combines with a flute dominated harmony that meshes the two styles in an impressive manner. Overall, the songs that make up One Step Ahead of Hell continue to inspire a fast reckless lifestyle of heavy whiskey drinking and roadhouse brawls, if only in the imagination of the listener. Musically, the album is intense and energetic and not for listening to when trying to wind down and head into dreamland after a long day at the stockyards. Verdict: Yes

The Killigans "One Step Ahead Of Hell" Self-Released Working-class Celt-Punk Rock from a working-class band, the Killigans have set the bar high with "One Step From Hell"... the question is... who's going to catch them. Just when I thought the Killigans couldn't top their previous "gem of a recording "Brown Bottle Hymnal"... I was proven wrong once again with this amazing new release. The Killigans have kicked it up a notch on this one with stronger song-writing and vocals from Hoffman & Nebesniak, and finely tuned musicianship throughout from this band located in Lincoln, Nebraska. "One Step From Hell" is chalk full of ballads & anthems... this is music to sing to... to drink to.... or as in my case... listen to from start to finish for a week straight and pick a new favorite track every day. The Killigans are one the most underrated bands in the nation within Celt-Punk Rock.... just goes to show that the national media and record labels are still retarded when it comes to gathering the best talent in the business.... maybe they can prove me wrong and give this amazing band what they deserve. Tracks you need to know: "Prodigal Son", "Santy Anno", "The Letter", "For Love Of Country", "Through The Flames", "Kids On The Street" and every fuckin’ other track... just pick it up today you bastard.

The Killigans: One Step Ahead of Hell Talk about yer tough jobs, ‘One Step Ahead Of Hell’ has the challenge of following The Killigans’ brilliant debut, ‘Brown Bottle Hymnal’. While ‘Brown Bottle Hymnal’ hit the scene like a bucket of ice water in the morning, ‘One Step Ahead of Hell’ takes that wake-up call and expands upon it. In my opinion, the biggest difference between this release and the awesome ‘Brown Bottle Hymnal’ is variety. Where the band’s debut CD immediately showed a common thread that permeated its sound, ‘One Step…’ shows a real spreading of the band’s wings, which seems less concerned with maintaining a particular sound and, in doing so, shows a cohesiveness and signature with such a naturally occurring ease that I think this band could be recognized doing any song they chose. This signature sound is due largely to Brad Hoffman’s vocals. Sounding almost as if it underwent the same distortion as Chris Nebesniak’s guitar, together they create a sound as distinctive as anything else in this genre. The two compliment each other perfectly and work well with the driving urgency brought forth by the band’s hyperactive rhythm section, (how many arms does this drummer have, anyways?). Also worthy of mention is Pat Nebesniak, as one of the few accordion players aware of the power of subtlety, and Zach Stroup’s mandolin can sit in the front of the mix being delicate enough not to overshadow the other instruments but focused enough to carve out its own identity. The addition of piper Edwin Makusha smoothes out the transition, adding a fuller, more mature sound. In the end it’s the songs that win the day, and ‘One Step Ahead of Hell’ delivers. The entire CD is stacked with high-energy one-two punchers that hit like a sock full of tacks. My favorites: disc opener, Shame and Sorrow, the barn-burning Through The Flames, tear-jerker, The Letter, and disc closer, Kids on the Street. For fans of the 'Brown Bottle Hymnal', I highly recommend 'One Step Ahead of Hell', you won’t be disappointed. For those unaware of the Killigans, check out this CD and you will probably soon own ‘Brown Bottle Hymnal’ as well. Review - Christopher Toler, THE Blathering Gommel