Ona blisteringly hot day at 2023’s Sick New World festival in Las Vegas, a huge crowd await Kittie’s arrival. In the throng, rabid Gen Z-ers, ready to witness the reunited Canadian band for the first time, jostle for position amid 30- and 40-somethings who were on the nu metal front lines the first time around.
Moments later, Kittie appear. Asquall of feedback and slashed guitar chords announce set opener I’ve Failed You, and vocalist and guitarist Morgan Lander lets out a shriek that could strip varnish from wood. “And then,” says Mercedes Lander, Kittie’s drummer and Morgan’s sister, “people lost their fucking minds.”
Almost ayear on, there’s asense that Morgan and Mercedes have been caught off guard by the fervour surrounding their reunion. Brutal new single Eyes Wide Open prompted a burst of excitement when it was released in February, while Fire, their first album in 13 years, will land later this year.
“We’re just sort of along for the ride,” admits Morgan with a smile. She and her sister are speaking via Zoom from their respective houses in their hometown of London, Ontario. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive. That’s just something I really didn’t think was going to happen. I’m shocked at how amazing and welcoming everybody is again.”
The surprise is somewhat understandable. When Kittie released their 1999 debut, they werebecame an instant nu metal classic, a feminist anthem in a sea of male bravado. The song propelled them to MTV, Ozzfest and a support slot on Slipknot’s first US headline tour.
