Hype is an evil little bastard. Having shot everyone from the Darkness to Gallows into the public consciousness before cannibalising them, the malicious media machine possesses the ability to make or break a band in an age of fickle listeners and disposable products. King 810 are currently slave to such a beast and their hardened urban roots in Flint, Michigan have become more of a talking point than their music.
But, the day of reckoning is here and King 810 have delivered. In essence a quasi-concept album, 'Memoirs Of A Murderer' serves as an hour-long act cathartic statement against the city that spawned them.
Channelling the unrepentant bullishness and rage of self-titled and 'Iowa'-era Slipknot and throwing in a splash of Hatebreed for good measure, tracks like Killem All and Fat Around The Heart display an acute knack for mid-paced brutality and chant-along anthems. These riffs are dirtier than the contents of your bathroom plughole.
Of course, it's not just an hour of beatdowns and shouting. Contrary to popular belief, King 810 are more than that. Electronics and keys embellish mid-album highlight Eyes to conjure a truly haunting atmosphere, while the necro-country vibes present on Take It lead them on a very unique road indeed. Imagine if Acid Bath wrote more songs in the vein of Dead Girl and you’re getting there.
But it's David Gunn's vocal performance that makes 'Memoirs Of A Murderer' the modern classic it may well end up becoming. His harrowing, tortured screams during Desperate Lovers are just fucking horrible, leaving the listener in a state of disarray, and spoken-word passages Anatomy 1-2 and Anatomy 1-3 follow a stream of consciousness formula, inviting all to hear of his upbringing.
Write About Us plays on a similar pattern, laying down a percussive backdrop for Gunn's detailing of acquaintances back in Flint – some are in jail, most are on drugs and others are dead. While some of his lyrics may seem a little undeveloped at times, you cannot deny the man's honesty.
Emerging on a big label with a single-minded album exceeding the hour mark, keyboard warriors and metal purists will no doubt avoid this band from the get-go. But, its varied musical influences and one of the strongest vocal contributions in years gives 'Memoirs Of A Murderer' the gravitas and clout needed for King 810 to succeed.
King 810 Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue September 23 2014 - BRISTOL Thekla
Thu September 25 2014 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Fri September 26 2014 - LONDON O2 Academy Islington
Sat September 27 2014 - MANCHESTER Academy 3
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