A good coffee; a nice cat purring on your lap; a Tv show that isn’t ‘reality’; this is a list of things that I automatically like, and after today, King’s newest release, Coldest of Cold is added to this list. The album starts with the unmistakable blast of Tasmania’s David Haley, and from there, it is a juggernaut of precision and amazing melodic intrigue.
The layers of guitars in some sections are nothing short of fantastic – as are the melodies used, residing somewhere between inspirational and melancholic.
There is really no faulting the production, somewhere between the rawness of black metal and the polish of other Aussie melodic bands. But the thing that makes this album is the extra 1%ters in the chanting and the clean guitar fills. These are the hooks that will keep listeners coming back and as you can tell, I’m a huge fan of. I have to mention though, this is probably the first time that I’ve heard a bass tone that is dirtier than the guitar tone in a recording! Interesting choice and strangely doesn’t fall badly on the ear. Another mention would have to go to the clarity of Tony’s vocals – for a vocalist with black metal roots, this is rare.
King’s Coldest of the Cold is an absolute treat of an album, fantastically written, expertly executed and one of those releases that you choose when trying to prove to your overseas friends that Aussie metal and nothing short of world-class. Suitable for those who like the winter, and I mean, really really like the winter.
Release Year: 2019
Label: EVP Recordings
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Liam Frost-Camilleri
