It wasn't the self-proclaimed
“spaghetti western doom sludge” tag that drew me to King Dead.
It was the fact that the instrumental trio is two bassists and a drummer. I love
that dynamic. In fact, the spaghetti western part could very well
have turned me the other way. It's not exactly a style I'm fond of.
Try as I might I couldn't even make it all the way through that last
Across Tundras album. But I gave King Dead the benefit
of the doubt and forged ahead.
Forging ahead is actually a common
theme on this self-titled debut. Without the benefit of vocals the
music itself does the narration. Most often one can get a sense of
the scene by the way King Dead shape their dynamics. They build up
towards the spilling point creating a sense of drama.
The really interesting thing is one
bassist, Will McGrath plays a 6-string and his role is higher
pitched and steely, while Kevin Vanderhoof takes the low road
with his growling low end. At times McGrath will soar like an eagle
while Vanderhoof plods away below. At others Vanderhoof plays the
lead role while McGrath provides more atmosphere. It's not the sound
you'd expect from two basses but that makes it all the more
appealing.
Directing the show in a way is drummer
Steve Truglio. As he goes, so does the song. He can sit back
and let the bassists do their thing or he can push the energy
through, sparking the drama to unfold in cathartic climax.
On the hole King Dead is
ethereal and smokeladen. The steely and rumbling basses are quite
expressive. It can go from depressing to triumphant and back again.
Their bluesy psychedelia sounds like solitude and introspection. But
there's a resolve, determination and urgency that filters through
over the course of the journey.
From ambling cadences to full-on
sprints the album unfolds with a sense of purpose. Drone, doom and
sludge all have their place on this heartfelt, expansive and
callous-handed release. The desert aura and steely/synth tone would
have you thinking in reddish hues but the album pulses with a blood
more blue. The noonday sun shines not on King Dead. Storm clouds
gather on the horizon at dusk bringing a chill to the air. And well,
King Dead is pretty cool.
