Into The Darkness

With the release of its 2000 debut, "Spit," Canadian act Kittie stuck out like a spiked wristband in the metal world. The first truly heavy all-female record in the boys club of metal, "Spit" went gold without the band having to play up its sexuality. Yet Kittie accomplished this without any discernible hooks, and the growled death-metal vocals often sounded not unlike the band's namesake in a dryer. But this preview of Kittie's forthcoming third album ("Until the End," due July 27) shows songwriting growth. "Into the Darkness" is an upbeat song with a downright catchy chorus—and Artemis was thoughtful enough to include a vocal remix that removes the Cookie Monster-like backing vocals. Either in its clawed or declawed version, the song is poised to give the band the most radio play it has ever had.—BT