KYNG - ALBUM REVIEW

Kyng - Burn The Serum (Razor & Tie) 
Kyng - Burn The Serum

Release Date: 5th May 2014

LA trio Kyng have either watched the Goonies too many times or have a bit of an obsession with pirate skeletons being devoured by a giant Octopus, judging by the sleeve art of their new album ; Burn The Serum'. Whatever the truth, these guys rock and they rock hard so I ain't gonna spend too much time worrying about it. The album kicks off with the title track which features some chunky, meaty riffs as well as Chris Cornell-esque vocals which take you by the balls and point you directly at the speakers which are, naturally, turned up to 11. 'Lost One' is a speedball of a rock tune while 'Electric Halo' has more of an ominous chug to it like a Black Sabbath tune with the cool of Foo Fighters in their famed white limousine. On 'Sewn Shut' Eddie, Pepe and Tony are fully in to their stride and you can't help but bob your head in a slow rock out as your fingers involuntarily start to form the devil horns, making it particularly hard to type.

This is the second album from the Californians and you can tell as they have definitely settled in to an assured style on songs like 'Faraway' which could easily drop in to the track list on a Metallica or Boy Hits Car album. 'Self Medicated Man' again channels that big Soundgarden sound with dark, malevolent riffs and vocals that cut through the darkness to offer a way out should you choose to take it. These guys definitely have more than one speed though as the speed shredding on 'The Ode' shows quite beautifully and 'In the Land Of Pigs' is classic dark rock with that smooth, slick feel that the Foos have had so much success with. In to the home straight now but Kyng are not letting up with 'Sunday Smile' and 'Big Ugly Me' swaggering at full pace towards that finish line. The album finishes up 'Paper Heart Rose' which is uncharacteristically gentle in its acoustic beginnings but this shows the tender side to the band which is always essential to get that cross over hit. The biggest compliment I can give these guys is that when I review albums I usually stream them and then get the option to download them if I like them - I downloaded this after the second track so my car is going to be rocking to these sounds tomorrow morning. Huge stuff.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/Kyngband?fref=ts

Live Dates:

6th May - Webster Hall @ The Marlin Room, New York
7th May - Empire, West Springfield
8th May - The Saint, Asbury Park
9th May - The Chance, Poughkeepsie
10th May - Darlings Waterfront Pavillion, Bangor
11th May - Upstairs @ The Palladium, Worcester
13th May - Diamond Pub & Billiards, Louisville
15th May - The Machine Shop, Flint
16th May - Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus
17th May - Mercy Lounge, Nashville
20th May - Mojoes, Joilet
21st May - The Firebird, St Louis
23rd May - Catch The Fever Festival Grounds, Pryor

24th May - AT&T Center, San Antonio 

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