KING OF DARKNESS - Triple Whammy (Lion Music)

Score: 4 out of 5 Battle-Axes

I was really surprised by Triple Whammy, the debut from Japan's King Of Darkness.  We've recently heard several Japanese extreme metal bands, but we haven't heard a Japanese hard rock band since Loudness and EZO.  King Of Darkness is a trio featuring vocalist/bassist Genta Nakamura, guitar wiz Takahiro Hashimoto, and drummer Tadayoshi Iwamoto.  Formed in 1989, KOD released two demos (The Principle Of Darkness in 1993 and Aggression in Rage in 1995) and changed vocalists a few times before bassist Genta Nakamura assumed the duties.  The result is an excellent, straight-up, in-your-face, 80s blues based hard rock offering.  Comparing KOD to their country-mates, they don't have the vocal awkwardness of Minoru Nihara-era Loudness, rather Nakamura sounds very close to EZO vocalist Masaki Yamada (who later sang for Loudness too).  Nokamura's voice is especially attractive on the ballad "Long Way."  Similar to Loudness, KOD has the power of a stellar lead guitarist.  Hashimoto can shred just like Loudness' Akira Takasaki, but overall KOD is probably a bit less metal.  It's been a long time since a new band has sounded like this, and fans of solid 80s hard rock should take a moment to check this band out.  (Chris Dugan - Metal Dreams - www.go.to/metaldreams)

www.lionmusic.com
www.kod-web.com
--------------------------------------

METAL DREAMS
Attn.  Chris Dugan - Editor
2 J.R. Court
Cornwall, NY 12518  USA
---------------------------------
Email:  MTLDREAMS@aol.com
www.go.to/metaldreams

BAND >> CD >> LABEL >> NOTE>> KING OF DARKNESS TRIPLE WHAMMY LION MUSIC (2002) 80% With name like King of Darkness you may think that it's a death metal act but not at all! KOD is a powerfull melodic hard rock band! Everyone that loves hard drivin' guitar playing with amazing melodic guitar solos will love that release! The rythm section is solid as a rock and the grooves are awesome! The songs are catchy so expect to have some songs that stick in your mind for a while! The vocals is very cool too! The songs arrangement are well produced and well written so there's no reason for not purchasing this CD if you're are a guitar fans or/and a melodic hard rock fans! Patrick www.thedarkesthours.com

KING OF DARKNESS 'TRIPLE WHAMMY' (LION MUSIC/BERTUS)

KING OF DARKNESS is a Japanese band and 'Triple whammy' is their debut CD. This is definitely a quality record with good performed solid melodic hard/heavy rock like a mix between RAINBOW, KEEL, ICON and ROUGH CUTT. Highlights on the CD are "Strange neighborhood" (good uptempo melodic hardrock a la DOKKEN/ROUGH CUTT), "Long way" (lovely melodic rockballad a la 80s DEF LEPPARD, HUGE song with great lead and harmonyvocals), "Terminal condition" (great uptempo melodic hardrock) and the RAINBOW/DEEP PURPLE/HUGHES/TURNER PROJECT orientated melodic heavy rockers "None of your cheers", "Road to madness" and "Turbine". Fans of mentioned band need to have a listen to this great debut CD of the Japanese band KING OF DARKNESS.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)