### Kings Destroy: A time of hunting

#### 28/08/13 || Cobal

Season’s open and Kings Destroy are looking forward to prying, that’s for sure. “A time of hunting”, second full-length album by these gringos, broke into the scene as recently as last May 14, which in this case means I’ve been listening to it over and over again for about two months a month now — up to the moment I started writing this review, that is.

Sometimes it’s best to really digest a record before judging it. It happens with acquired tastes and releases that bring a lot of hype with them. It also works with records that impress you prima facie. Yes, I was pretty impressed by this record, there’s no shame in admiting it.

Revival — and veteran — 70s sound bands have been accused of playing nothing more than dad rock music since the fucking 80s, and still, there are always at least one or two metal acts out there that refuse to disregard the strong roots that gave birth to heavy music in the first place. Metalheads around the world — specially the puppies — would do good to become aware of those roots.

Unlike other plastic soulless bands, Kings Destroy are aware of the path that lies behind them, and they seem very proud of it. Their accurate fussion of traditional doom and stoner gives them a very enjoyable kind of groove, and although they do go vintage, that doesn’t mean they’re sickly or anything. Their metal does get to be mind-blowing.

But let’s put the instruments aside for now. Regardless how good the riffs and drumming are, a great hook to me was Steve Murphy’s vocal work. Not only can he sing more than well, but manages to produce some of the eeriest vocals in the genre, prooving once more that you don’t have to growl in order to have a deep and disturbing effect on the listener. Way to go, dude.

Now, for the music, I’ll tell you this: I’d be miserably lying if I said the Sabbies ain’t the greatest most noticeable influence here. So, is that it? Another unoriginal copycat act? No. Lemme say that again: N O . Matter of fact, these work has been listed even as hardcore music. Not that I’m an expert on the genre, but I do notice some particular kind of heaviness and thickness that outstands from the old-school songwriting and production.

If I were to change anything in this record, that would be its length. Somehow it doesn’t quite work as a whole due to a couple songs here that I could perfectly do without. But that’s just me. No song here is bad, I’m just too demanding when it comes to sparable tracks.

I trully believe the relevance of “A time of hunting” lies on two different stages. First, it’s plainly a great fucking album, trust me on this one, and second — and perhaps even more important, we should never forget where we come from. Kings Destroy won’t.

- Information
- Released: 2013
- Label: War Crime Recordings
- Website: www.kingsdestroy.com
- Band
- Steve Murphy: vocals
- Carl Porcaro: guitars
- Chris Skowronski: guitars
- Aaron Bumpus: bass
- Rob Sefcik: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Stormbreak
- 02. The Toe
- 03. Casse-Tete
- 04. Decrepit
- 05. Shattered Pattern
- 06. A Time of Hunting
- 07. Blood of Recompense
- 08. Turul