KINGDOM OF SORROW – The triumphant Metal return of Kingdom Of Sorrow commenced on June 8, 2010, with the sophomore release of behind the blackest tears, released on Relapse Records. Better get your Metal game face on and strap yourself in, before you let this new Kingdom Of Sorrow album beat down your eardrums into submission. This album is a listen in the most cement shattering, steel bending and Earth stirring form. Crunching and thunderous invading guitar riffs courtesy of Kirk Windstein, (of Crowbar & Down fame), are an ultimate Metal statement from this Metal legend. Kirk sharing vocals with Jamey Jasta, (of Hatebreed fame) makes for one hell of a bone shattering Metal dynamic duo.
A vast audience of fans and critics call Kingdom Of Sorrow a supergroup and that is justified. I rather look upon Kingdom Of Sorrow as a real Metal group, no jet setting or bragging rants about their red carpet waltz’s… these are two blue collar Metal veterans that aren’t polishing off any plastic Grammy’s that sit atop a grand piano. Jamey Jasta and Kirk Windstein execute their brand of Metal like a crashing meteor, obliterating all the stillness and serene landscape that gets in their way. They serve it up and smack you down with their extreme vocals, combined with heavy as molasses riffs, that explodes Doom meets Stoner and mixed with some good ol’ Sludge in it’s most ferocious form. Listening to behind the blackest tears isn’t comparable to opening up a can of Metal whoop ass, instead it’s like opening up a 5o gallon drum of Metal whoop ass. Metal be thy name.
Enlightened To Extinction greets you with an apocalyptic riff that leads into some melodic heaviness courtesy of a nod to some Metalcore, with Jamey Jasta exhibiting his Metal vocal diversity. God’s Law In The Devil’s Land pulsates with Kingdom Of Sorrow’s Metal fury, giving every reason as to why Jasta and Windstein are so great at sharing lead vocals. This song should be played extremely loud, atop a creepy mountain peek, during a full moon for some unsuspecting innocent village below to get panicked by. As Hardcore as Monuments Of Ash sounds, it’s Metal leanings and fillings are what makes the hair stand up straight on my arms. Whoa, does Monuments Of Ash kick my Metal lovin’ ass.
Behind The Blackest Tears can easily be targeted as my favorite song, it grooves along so incredibly heavy and just gives off some invitingly creepy vibes from every musical angle. From Heroes To Dust is another opportunity where Jamey Jasta lets his vocal diversity be heard. A more somber and turned down vocal delivery only gives From Heroes To Dust it’s proper due. This song is probably the closest thing Kingdom Of Sorrow will ever get to creating a ballad. Salvation Denied is without deliberation, the most Extreme and vocally Hardcore laced song on behind the blackest tears… and a damn good song at that.
No Class, the Motorhead cover song, is done quite impressively by Kingdom Of Sorrow. It’s an intimidating hurdle to cover a true classic like No Class, only Jasta comes impressively close to the legendary Lemmy Kilmister’s unique vocal style. As far as the music and song structure goes, Kingdom Of Sorrow left well enough alone… and that’s a great thing, if it aint broke don’t fix it. Still, hearing this version of No Class on the limited deluxe version of behind the blackest tears is a welcomed Metal treat to my Old School ears.
Soldiers Of Hell, the Running Wild cover song, plays out with an ultra contagious Heavy Metal vibe that is non-stop. The guitar play are an intense high to listen to on Soldiers Of Hell, proving to be a fabulous song choice for Kingdom Of Sorrow to cover. Saluting a real-deal, Old School and pioneering German Heavy Metal Band as Running Wild, along with covering the immortal and ultra important Motorhead, gets a Metal kudos from Metal Odyssey!
I purchased the deluxe edition of behind the blackest tears at my neighborhood fye, at a very decent price of $8.99, (U.S.). The cover pic, at the top of this post, is that of the slipcase cover of this deluxe edition. (The regular cover pic for behind the blackest tears is seen below the band names).
* Metal Odyssey gives behind the blackest tears – 5 out of 5 Metal Fists!
Who am I to find something wrong with this great album? When the Metal is this great, I stand up straight, bang my F’n head, raise the horns to the air and tell it like it F’n is.
* For more info on KINGDOM OF SORROW, just click the links below:
KINGDOM OF SORROW – MySpace Music Page
KINGDOM OF SORROW ARE:
Jamey Jasta – vocals
Kirk Windstein – guitars & vocals
Additional Studio Musicians:
Charlie Bellmore – guitars & bass
Nick Bellmore – drums
Track Listing For behind the blackest tears:
Enlightened To Extinction
God’s Law In The Devil’s Land
Monuments Of Ash
Behind The Blackest Tears
Envision The Divide
From Heroes To Dust
Along The Path To Ruin
With Barely A Breath
The Death We Owe
Sleeping Beast
Torchlight Procession
Salvation Denied
Bonus Tracks On Limited Edition:
No Class (Motorhead Cover Song)
Soldiers Of Hell (Running Wild Cover Song)
* KINGDOM OF SORROW is currently touring with OZZFEST 2010!
* For more OZZFEST 2010 info, just click the cool link below:
LONG LIVE KINGDOM OF SORROW!
Stone.
Crowbar was my Metal band of choice today. Sludge Metal with a healthy slice of Doom Metal at it’s very best is Crowbar. I gave another listen to Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form and have walked away with the same Metal satisfaction as always – ultra Sludge Metal satisfaction that is. The slow trudging and heavy duty guitar riffs combined with the slow paced rhythm section, makes me scream in Metal glee that Crowbar has taken Old School Heavy Metal to a more dark and doom ridden place. The lyrics heard in the songs on Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form are gloomy, mournful and visits the realms of self suffering, doubt and infliction. Well, that is what Doom Metal delves into, topics too touchy for the faint at heart mainstream. These lyrics explore what it must feel like when one is truly suffering from extreme mental anguish. Now, if you are to look past the psychologically driven lyrics, the Metal Music is an ear crushing experience and/or escape that seems to come at me from all sides. Crowbar plays their Sludge Metal like it surrounds me, repeatedly encircling my space like a slow marching invasion of Metal giants from a far away and spooky place. Cool.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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