Flowing like icy cold water through the rapids comes black metal band Blood of Kingu‘s magnificent new album, Sun In The House Of The Scorpion. The legendary Roman Saenko growls and plays guitar with kindness and good will to all. Thurios shreds guitar nicely so that we’ll be friends. Yuri pounds drums ferociously like Bolton and L.G. Krechet is the name of this fine band’s bassist.
Out of our place and into the darkness she went. We only saw her a few more times and like the best first baseman ever to play the game, Gehrig, we were the luckiest man on the face of the earth. “Herald of the Aeon of Darkness” begins the begin with ferocity and savageness as Yuri pounds on the drums for at least 7 or 8 minutes straight.
“Those That Wander Amidst the Stars” has twin or layered guitars that define this album and that create a massive feel not unlike those created by Hendrix, Van Halen, Page, Young, and Buzzo. Yuri’s drumming is beautifully varied and Saenko’s growls aren’t too deep and these become a hand lifting us because guitar’s just wailing and trying to pull us under like quicksand. Vocals 30,000 feet beneath the surface birth a mood that doesn’t frighten or please and we’re intrigued. Fast drums want to take make us run a 100 meter dash but longer, consecutive guitar notes keep us walking and this is healthier for all. The ending brings in tribal drumming and that’s a treat like ice cream on a summer day in Philly.
We were kind to an old lady the other day and she gave us some way cool candy. Life is beautiful. “Cyclopean Temples of the Old Ones” features drums so fast and furious that we can’t be bored. Shorter guitar chords that aren’t too short arrest, define, and determine while drums caress. Saenko’s growls are behind and indecipherable and he’s expressing rage, love, kindness, and the need for fellowship. Twin guitars where one features longer notes while the other has shorter notes are two of the best friends we’ve ever had. When things get louder near the end earth tilts on its axis and all is revealed to the good.
He looked pretty good while he was asleep. “Incantation of He Who Sleeps” features Blood of Kingu’s signature longer guitar chords that flow like a Dior dress on a beautiful woman. There are small amounts of staccato riffs like on many metal albums and here they’re quite wonderful because they bring work that might be over the edge back into the dish. When Saenko first growls it’s like when Cerberus greeted the man he hated the most. The ever-present long as the Mississippi River guitar keeps the growls from sacking us and putting us on injured reserve. As soon as we became lost in guitar a heavy attack of snare drums wakes us up and then more, longer guitar combined with bursts of shorter guitar notes create a feel which is like one created by Naima’s affection. This song is longer and is on par with the greatest long song, Led Zeppelin‘s “Achilles Last Stand.”
Her mind was like a void and as much as we’re into looks she must have a mind. “Guardians of Gateways to Outer Void” begins to really move at about 2/11 and the drums are super fast. Saenko’s growling beneath marauding guitar and we’re feeling an intense connection. Savage guitar creates a ceiling that keeps the hail and snow and rain from destroying us. Vocals that are way way beneath remind us of those on the Cure’s brutal coda on Pornography, “Pornography”. More growling while Yuri’s bass sounding drums keep hitting and guitar at a higher pitch filling the void create a picture like Picasso. The super fast drums want to make this song a galloper but layered guitar with longer notes keeps it in the stables.
She aged poorly and we just had to press the “eject” button. “Ceremonies To Take Away Thy Ageless Hate” features a similarly righteous message and is a 4 minute rock song that defines cool. Yuri’s speedy drumming snare attack along with longer guitar notes at a higher pitch defines Blood of Kingu and Saenko’s growls are just loud enough for us to be taken to the better place. When it’s just shorter guitar notes and growling this is nectar. The shorter guitar notes are always in back so they’re never forced upon us because the drums and longer guitar notes are driving and we dig not being forced. Saenko’s prevalent growls like the shorter guitar notes are never strained and we’re listening to players.
She was mad and he knew and she killed their child and now he’s way bummed. “Morbid Black Dreams Bringing Madness” is another longer song like the opener and there is an ethereal effect possibly created by a keyboard that combines with Yuri’s tribal drumming to create a masterpiece.
Once we exited the gates all was well. “Gate of Nanna (Beherit Cover)” features some whispered vocals that are enchanting and then the guitar and drums assault begins and it’s all dense. When longer guitar chords like Iommi’s hit with more traditional, slower drumming and there’s growling up above this is as good as the Melvins‘ best. Vocal effects that are commanding us to train for the attack have an ancient feel that makes us think about knights in shining armor and finding the gold. Saenko’s growling isn’t as guttural as Kozeljnik’s but it’s just as good. Varied and layered vocal tracks and the whispered line that may well be, “It’s driving me mad” put this track into Olympus.
Sun In The House Of The Scorpion is an excellent album filled with consistency, variety, relentless guitar, and professionalism. There is an intangible missing that would make this album transcendent yet we could listen to it for days on end because of the outstanding musicianship, great arrangements, piercing vocals, and uplifting vibe. Blood of Kingu is a major band and we hope they stay around for a while.
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Like Blood of Kingu? Check out: Hate Forest, Drudkh, Astrofaes.
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