Band: Kingston Falls
Album: Armada on Mercury
Genre: Hardcore/Metal
Label: Facedown
Tracks:
1. The Christening
2. Armada on Mercury
3. Too Hot For Cold Feet
4. On Contentment
5. The Great Divide
6. Freakin' Extreme
7. The Illusionist's Dream
8. Songs & Fables
9. Curse of Might
10. Dry Skin [Moz Def]
11. Sand Castle Karma
12. Too Bad About Your Situation
I've mentioned before how I feel the metal/hardcore genre has become a very here today/gone today atmosphere for most bands. It seems as soon as some act starts to get attention, they break up or something goes South for them. Kingston Falls, who just released their Facedown Records debut, "Armada on Mercury," is one band whose been able to overcome any obstacles while not losing face with the metal scene. This may be their label debut, but these guys have been around for awhile and their hard work and determination to chase their dreams shines through on this album in a way I haven't seen in quite some time.
Armada begins with, "The Christening," a simple synth/key.chime laden minuet that basically gives the album a very welcoming tone, but at the same time, sets you up for what is to come. The album really gets going with the solid gold 2nd track, "Armada on Mercury," which begins with light acoustic guitar before going into a full blown metal track. I cannot think of a better way for the band to present themselves than with this track about survival and determination. The chorus will surely be on the tongues of anyone attending the concert and serves as a battle cry of sorts for the group: "We are a fleet in the rains of tyranny, destined for glory, God, if we shall cease, rest us in peace, for tonight, we dine at sea." The following track, "Too Hot For Cold Feet," has a more classic Kingston Falls feel as it is a guitar riff driven number with thick drumming and in your face vocals. Guitarists Josh Battles and Josiah Gaut have really outdone themselves throughout this album with continually stunning guitar work, both in riffs and solo work. The band has a new vocalist on this album named, Nate Lambright Dale, and his addition has only helped to re-enforce the talent that Kingston Falls began to display on their last release, "The Crescendo of Sirens." His vocals, both screaming and singing, mixed with the singing vocals of Josiah and drummer Brent Zebell give the band a new level of quality and allows them to reach a new plain sound wise. They are much more able to explore harmony and it's apparent they've realized this as the album does have more sung parts than their previous works. "Freakin' Extreme," a song the band recently shot a video for, is an oddity of a track. It clocks in under two minutes, but with quick lyrics and deep message, it really hits home to anyone whose ever taken in life and neglected to think outside of themselves. One of my favorite tracks, "Curse of Might," can be found on the back half of the album, but it boasts some of the most solid musicianship the band has ever displayed. From near astonishing guitar work, to solid drums, and not to mention the more than steady bass work [courtesy of Bill Bowers], the song shows the Kingston Falls is no one horse pony and that they are continually evolving and shaping their sound. The album closes with the extremely well done, "Too Bad About Your Situation." It's simply a solid metal song with great vocal, music, and production that leaves you exhausted from not only screaming along, but moving your feet, or at least, fighting your feet from moving.
Kingston Falls has not only outdone themselves with, "Armada On Mercury," but they've set a new standard in the metal scene. This album is one of the most solid metal albums of the last five years and if it doesn't propel them into the forefront of the hardcore/metal scene, then we as listeners, are failing our ears. Everyone, and I repeat everyone who loves great hardcore music solid guitar playing and vocals with depth owes it to themselves to check out this album. You will regret failure to do so. I Promise.
*Written By: James Shotwell*
GRADE: 8.5/10
MYSPACE
*WE RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONVERSE WITH KINGSTON FALLS AND BELOW YOU CAN FIND THE LINK TO THE INTERVIEW!!!!!*
READ THE INTERVIEW HERE!!!!!
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