Album Review//Kamikaze Kings - The Law
So I opened my inbox expecting the usual rush of delightful sounds and updates from the various virtual worlds I inhabit but my eye was caught by something usually far from my radar. The rather intriguing words 'porn metal' were in the tagline of an e-mail and curious as to just what kind of twisted genre of thrasher this could be I had to click. In my situation, you would too. The album that followed is reviewed below. Now, to my coffee...
They say that genre is a killer. Once a band is pigeonholed into an idea they are forever defined by it. It's all down to publicity - that One Sheet has to give the media an idea of what they're about to download and it's evil, but it's a necessary evil. So it was that the concept of Porn Metal entered my life and it's still a bit hard to shake off the imagery that name brings up in my frontal lobe. But let's forget genre and genre names that sensationalize rather than describe - let's listen.
Hailing from the windy alleys of Berlin and intent on sorting the proverbial men from the boys are Kamikaze Kings. Certainly the bone crunching riffs that fill this album are as masculine a musical statement as can be made and ultimately the genre tag the band give themselves is more related to their image. Reminiscent of the excesses of Japan's ever prevalent Visual Kei genre the bands image takes the muscles of your local wrestler and adds leather costumes and hairstyles that add definite height to already statuesque band.
Setting the image aside the music is loud, riff infused and growled vox are a fact of life. The music is good enough to stand up to more than a cursory listen and takes it's cues from the modern school of metal, with the occasional break in pace to remind you that these guys are actually human beneath the posturing and leather. On tracks such as Boneshaker Boogie and Saturday Night Hero, when the posturing and seriousness are tossed aside they impress with the riffs and voice making a lethal combination.
Another grower is the obviously titled Give It To Me where the band demand the attention of their audience and played live this would be a brilliant addition to any set. It's chorus is one of the best on the album and grows on each listen. It's the latter part of the album where things begin to hit their stride and you begin to forget the gimmicky genre name and start to enjoy the music. In For The Kill may not break down any genre standards but it's all the better for it, just as the slower paced bluesy tone of Hard Times brings a welcome change from the endless riffs. And on closer Shadows the gruff vocals are gone, with some impressive tones taking their place.
If you enjoy tight leathered rock 'n' roll with a dash of muscle and hairspray then this album is more a must - it's an essential listen!
Reviewed by Sebastian Gahan. The Law is released on Limited Access Records and out now.
Hailing from the windy alleys of Berlin and intent on sorting the proverbial men from the boys are Kamikaze Kings. Certainly the bone crunching riffs that fill this album are as masculine a musical statement as can be made and ultimately the genre tag the band give themselves is more related to their image. Reminiscent of the excesses of Japan's ever prevalent Visual Kei genre the bands image takes the muscles of your local wrestler and adds leather costumes and hairstyles that add definite height to already statuesque band.
Setting the image aside the music is loud, riff infused and growled vox are a fact of life. The music is good enough to stand up to more than a cursory listen and takes it's cues from the modern school of metal, with the occasional break in pace to remind you that these guys are actually human beneath the posturing and leather. On tracks such as Boneshaker Boogie and Saturday Night Hero, when the posturing and seriousness are tossed aside they impress with the riffs and voice making a lethal combination.
Another grower is the obviously titled Give It To Me where the band demand the attention of their audience and played live this would be a brilliant addition to any set. It's chorus is one of the best on the album and grows on each listen. It's the latter part of the album where things begin to hit their stride and you begin to forget the gimmicky genre name and start to enjoy the music. In For The Kill may not break down any genre standards but it's all the better for it, just as the slower paced bluesy tone of Hard Times brings a welcome change from the endless riffs. And on closer Shadows the gruff vocals are gone, with some impressive tones taking their place.
If you enjoy tight leathered rock 'n' roll with a dash of muscle and hairspray then this album is more a must - it's an essential listen!
Reviewed by Sebastian Gahan. The Law is released on Limited Access Records and out now.
