King's X - Ogre Tones Review
by Zane Ewton
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King's X has made a long career of being a band's band. They have been critically lauded and loved by other bands but have never really sunk their hooks into the record buying public. King's X brings together many styles of music and has a distinct sound highlighted by beautiful harmonies and heavy riffing.
The trio of Doug Pinnick, Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill started as a cover band in 1980. After a few name and stylistic changes, a newly christened King's X released their debut album in 1988. With every subsequent release, critics could only heap praise on the band's multidimensional style. The band was welcomed by the 80's metal community and then enjoyed a new community when their early 90's release Dogman caught on with the alt-rock kids.
The last few years have kept the band as busy as ever. Along with new King's X material, the members have gone elsewhere with side projects and solo careers.
The band comes back together under the King's X banner to record Ogre Tones. Ditching many of the prog-rock noodlings of past records and sticking with the hook-heavy, harmony-laden, sludgy-riffing, Ogre Tones is a quick blast of rock that seems to flow effortlessly from this band.
There isn't a single clunker on this record but a few gems shine a little brighter than the rest. Musically and vocally the band ranges from gorgeous to crushing. The state of the world has left the band in the mood to rant, which largely affects the mood of the album. At times uplifting and victorious, confused or simply angry the lyrics have moments of eye rolling silliness. Other wise the record rocks with all the best traits this band has employed over years of writing some of the most widely underappreciated music in rock.
CD Info and Links
King's X - Ogre Tones Label:Inside Out
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