King Kraken - MCLXXX

****2/3

A Metal monster is born!!! All hail the King Kraken

King Kraken are a band from Cardiff, Wales, which you would be really surprised by because they really have got the American Metal sound done to perfection. I have been listening to a lot of music in King Kraken genre, over lockdown and I would put this in my CD collection alongside Black label Society, Down, Corrosion of Conformity, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons and Crowbar. All bands that I have really been loving in the last few years, especially over the Covid-19 period. I think Stoner / Groove Metal really has a feel to it, that makes us want to listen to it in these dark times. The band has played on tour with Monster Truck and performed at the following Bloodstock (Metal2theMasses), Fury Festival and HRH Metal / HRH Roadtrip.

You really can't believe this is King Kraken's debut album it was so good, but maybe that is because of the production work by Romesh Dodangoda (Those damn Crows / Inglorious / Motorhead). Which I have to say is outstanding, if your a fan of Heavy / Groove Metal you are going to so love this. The album was recorded at Long Wave Studios, a place I think in recent years has had glimpses of Metal magic. You can see that Romesh worked on the record, because throughout the tracks you can hear some of the sound he got out of Motorhead. Even though I think King Kraken is more towards Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons material, but I guess he puts a lot of his sound from that also into the Motorhead records. The title of the record 'MCLXXX' refers to the year that the mythological creature The Kraken, was first recorded as being seen in the flesh.

The album launches into the Clutch inspired infectious grooves of 'Devil's Night', which is a blend of Black stone Cherry esq. chorus' and riffage that you would inspect from a Heavy Metal / Stoner song. This is followed by one of my favourite tracks on the record, which is the second track 'Bastard Liar', it has a killer groove to it... with harmonics that Pantera would be proud of (Even Zack Wylde struggled learning all the parts in time for the Pantera Mexico show because of the harmonics in their songs). I also love the furious bit at the end that verges on Death Metal, it is really evil and gives a great contrast to the song. Singer Mark Donoghue has steady American sounding vocals, that make the flow of the songs really good. But it is the guitar work that you will really pay attention to, provided by Pete Rose who keeps the songs steady on rhythm Guitar and the really nice sequences put together by Adam Healey on lead Guitar.

They really show their commerical edge on the next single 'Green Terror', which you can see why they wanted to release as a single. While they pay respect to their love of Horror movies, on the track 'Haddonfield 78'. Of course inspired by the place the Halloween movies is set, and slasher king Michael Myers. Which is sucking under the 'Veins' on the album, like a monster ready to come out and kill. What I like about both of these track is that they pay real respect to Metal music and lyrics of the past. While still sounding fresh at the same time, I love the 90's Metal sound... so I am so glad people are bringing this back. You can hear elements of this in the tracks, that almost sound Nu-Metal at moments while still keeping to their true Groove Metal stylistics. 'Haddonfield 78' is a true anthem in every way, and maybe one of the songs you should listen to... to get into King Kraken.

They explore Melodic Metal techniques and textures on 'Man made Monster', that pop's up like an old friend. You really feel you now this track, but you don't because this is a concoction from the bands main man and wordsmith Mark Donoghue. Who has a mixing bowl of different levels to his vocals and lyrics, and delivers this song like a veteran in his game of life. There is some nice dirty riffage, and squeels on the brilliant 'Walls of Jericho'. Normally bands by this point in an album, are not at their best. But King Kraken are, every track on this record is equally as good as the other.

I think they have done right with not cramming the album full of too many songs, you get ten slices of brilliant Metal gems. Even getting frantic on the brilliant 'Chaos Engine' which comes near the end of the album, and epic on the last track 'Castle of Bones'. Which reminds me so much of tracks of the Monster Magnet album 'Powertrip', which I really loved when it was released. If you love Metal music, don't be an idiot. Go out and buy this record, you really won't be disappointed.

Review by Dan Devour

Check Out! the upcoming Video for single 'Green Terror' Below... (Premiers on the 9th of December)