It`s been two years since the release of King Kraken`s debut album `MCLXXX`. Since then this Swansea based quintet who comprise of vocalist Mark Donoghue, drummer Richard Lee Mears, bassist Karl Meyer, rhythm guitarist Pete Rose and lead guitarist Adam Healey`s have supported artists such as Monster Truck, Geoff Tate, Fury, South of Salem, Crowbar and were invited to play Bloodstock Open Air Festival in Derbyshire.
The new album `March of The Gods` released this month is a mixture of fantasy and songs based on real life experiences.
The album opens with `Scream` which is written about mental health and a guy that the band know and his journey in overcoming his struggles. It`s a real thumping fairly anthemic number and a rally call to fight and support this debilitating illness that we`ve all either suffered with at some time or certainly know somebody close who has. Singer Mark Donoghue confirms that `El Giganto` is a creation born of the monster movies of the 1950s. “I just wanted to tell a story about a fire breathing laser eyed monster.” The subject being a fifty-storey high monster with red laser beams shooting from his eyes. The track races along with lyrics almost spat out with some blistering guitar riffs on route.
`Berzerker` in Norse mythology is a member of a class of ancient warriors who worked themselves into a frenzy before battle, fighting with abnormal fury and courage. There`s a real power, strength and energy to this pretty robust offering, a number that appears to be more contemplative which is maybe a nod to the preparation for the oncoming fight. There was a cracking brief meditative guitar break during this intense offering. Title track `March of the Gods` exudes that kind of call to arms prior to the long walk into battle. A real rousing rallying cry.
`Hero` was written about the loss of Mark`s father and processing the grief associated with that. It`s a delightfully gentle and tender melodic reflection and a wonderful eulogy that for me is almost transferable for all of us who have lost our own fathers. The singer is an avid collector of comics and action figures and I swore he`d have one [a Batman song] on an album one day and in `Vigilante` we have it. A mid paced rhythmic rolling depiction of an avenger.
`Preacher` is a song about a gunfighting pastor. A chronicle of more brutal times in the long gone Western genre. There`s a real heavy driving vibe to `Magnum Opus` which may refer to a work of art, music, or literature that is regarded as the most important or best work that an artist, composer, or writer has produced. Regardless, it`s a number to just sit back and nod along to.
I read that `Chainsaw Saviour` is a homage to the Evil Dead film and it for me had a kind of stoner texture with some delightfully intricate guitar chord riffs shared on route. We close out on a more biblical offering in `Under the Sun` a plot twist on the rapture. Singer Mark shares that “The story of the rapture is God comes down, takes all the good guys up. So, I had an idea of putting a ‘What If’ in the scenario – The rapture happens, then God has a quiet word with the devil and he tells the devil to clean house on earth, give it a good cleaning before I come back down, and the song is basically from the devil’s perspective and he’s telling them, ‘you had your chance, and you ballsed it up’.” It`s a real ruminative composition and showcases this band`s diversity and musical ability.
I`m almost ashamed to admit that I hadn`t heard of King Kraken and was really blown away by `March of the Gods`. It`s forty minutes of full throttle headbangers but also has some more tender contemplative numbers that will leave you with reflections of your own. What is it about Cymru? We seem to have some of the hottest bands emerging from there such as Those Damn Crows, along with more established outfits like Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Bullet For My Valentine, Funeral For A Friend and Skindred.
King Kraken hit the road in support of the album towards the end of this month and i`m sure the shows will be scorching but if you can`t make any of the dates grab a copy of `March of The Gods`, turn the volume up to eleven and give the neighbours a treat.
Rating 9/10
