Trampled Sun (REALID Records)
In this day and age of every possible type of permutation of metals original design there is certainly a style to fit every taste. With new sub-genres popping up all the time it is hard to keep track, even for a guy who’s job is to keep track. At the same time I feel like there will always be a place for bands that represent the original idea of blues based rock and metal if it is executed well. There is no escaping good songwriting and a heartfelt delivery when given the chance to bring it back. California’s KYNG is such a band, being the torch bearer for the riffs and the grooves that can be eternal if you play em right.
From the very first track “Falling Down” the band makes clear its intent to pay homage to its heroes. A power trio not just in the style of all of the great proto-metal and classic rock bands, but in the rawness an d power of sound. Despite the vintage mindset the album is certainly heavy enough for modern fans of bands like DOWN, COC, CLUTCH, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, THE SWORD, BRAND NEW SIN, PRIESTESS, MONSTRO, TOTIMOSHI and the like. Lead singer and guitarist Eddie Veliz has an amazing bluesy wail and a fine range. He can carry the weight of some of these tracks on his voice along. Bassist Tony Castañeda also chips in some vocals and on occasion the band can pull off some harmonies like QUEEN or YES. Drummer Pepe Clarke Magaña just kills hits huge sounding drum kit with that good old natural sound you the way it used to be. “Pushing and Pulling” rages like a brake-less freight train with plenty of boogie and sick fills to boot. The title track comes next and has plenty of fuzzed out bass and gargantuan riffs a la KYUSS at their best. Veliz again delivers the goods vocally. The melodies and the solos are right from the pages of all the greats. Now its one thing to distill your influences and quite another to be able to make compelling original songs with those tools. KYNG does this really well. “Takes Its Toll” goes from a somber blues to a heavy rock strut easily. “Trails In Veins” is another jamming track with some impressive melodic components to it. It definitely has the sound of a modern hit. “I Don’t Believe” is a cool little ditty with a headbanging riff to it. “Bleed Easy” rocks out at maximum over drive while “Down On Me” lays back in the pocket a little more like an alt country metal tune. “Porcelain” is a slow burn epic that sounds like DOWN covering “Love, Hate, Love” by ALICE IN CHAINS. Castañeda chips in another cool bass line here in the style of Geezer Butler or Mike Dean. “Between the Blame” begins with some fine A cappella singing and builds up into a cool rocking march of a beat. The last track also has some of the best lead playing on the album which ducks in and out of the song without taking over or fouling up good riffs. The breakdown of the song goes down right proggy right before the climactic ending. “The Roses” is another epic song that rages just barely in control after a quiet start. This is a definitely one of the best new bands I have heard this year.
KYNG: Standing on the shoulders of giants. Photo by Katherine Guerreo.
GRADE: A
By Keith (Keefy) Chachkes
