Active since 2014, Ego Kill Talent has never had a female vocalist. At least, not until now.
After 8 years with Jonathan Dörr on vocals, the band announced in 2022 that the singer had decided to go his separate ways , and that the decision was probably the "healthiest" for everyone. After a few months performing live with the vocalist, the new member was officially announced as part of the band in January: Emmily Barreto , from Far From Alaska , would be the first woman to take on the vocals for Ego Kill Talent.
On social media, opinions were divided. While some were excited because they were already familiar with Emmily's work and were even happy with the news, others found the absence of male vocals strange and felt that the new vocalist "didn't fit the style" of the band. Some uninformed people asked where Jonathan was.
Over the past week, Ego Kill Talent had a chance to definitively prove what they can do with Emmily Barreto on vocals. They were chosen to open Evanescence 's tour in Brazil , and the opening shows marked the official debut of the new vocalist as a permanent member. On social media, the response was unanimous. A quick search on X (formerly Twitter) reveals numerous positive and enthusiastic comments from people who enjoyed the opening show and were impressed with Emmily's performance specifically; both fans who already liked the band with Jonathan Dörr and others who said they liked the new vocals more .
Live, it's evident that Ego Kill Talent is transforming. Already known for her charisma and high spirits, Emmily has fun on stage and engages the audience while delivering captivating vocals – husky, powerful, with a certain drive in her voice. The band has gained new energy with her presence; lighter, more relaxed. For those who liked EKT's heavier sound, it's noticeable that the winds are blowing towards new horizons. Co-founder Theo van der Loo even swapped Metallica t-shirt ( also worn during the opening shows in 2022 Miley Cyrus album Plastic Hearts (2020) during Saturday night's show. A perfect example of a singer who received international acclaim for showing her rock inclinations, even while remaining a pop diva. In Rio de Janeiro, Theo appeared wearing a t-shirt of Australian singer Lorde .
For those curious, the band has already given a preview of the sonic direction they will be taking. Last Friday, they released their first two singles with Emmily, “Finding Freedom” and “Call Us By Her Name” . Both tracks have a more hard rock and alternative rock feel, more melodic and without so much heaviness. “Finding Freedom” has more reflective and introspective lyrics, while “Call Us By Her Name” is a direct message about the place Emmily occupies in the band.
Ego Kill Talent has made it very clear that they are proud to present Emmily Barreto as the new face of the band. She's the one dancing in the cover photo of their two new singles, and in "Call Us By Her Name" the message is very clear: " I'm not leaving this place / You will hear my voice ."
Amidst criticism and acclaim, the obvious truth is that Emmily Barreto's presence brings not only a breath of fresh air but also new possibilities to Ego Kill Talent. Live, she has already proven that she can easily handle vocals in heavier songs, while her experience with indie rock and alternative music brings more versatility to the band, allowing them to have more fun and experiment with new arrangements. "Call Us By Her Name" itself arrives with new references and a more relaxed sonic atmosphere, even though the lyrics carry a powerful message.
Whether you like Emmily's presence on Ego Kill Talent or not, it's clear she's here to stay. And you can call them by her name.
