Kings Destroy is a Stoner Metal from New York City, and their debut release is a self-titled 7" two song EP. While the Doom, Sludge, and Stoner styles seem to really be coming into the mainstream light more and more as time goes on, there's bound to be some bands that look to the past for inspirations within the style, that's practically a given. Enter Kings Destroy into that frame of mind, but also enter some really irritation material that almost makes you want to break your copy in half.
It's as if Kings Destroy decided to cross the likes of early Cathedral's music with the vocal styles of early Candlemass. This is not a bad idea, as both bands are fantastic and a marriage of those two unique elements would be something worth salivating over. However, it doesn't quite work out. While the music for both of these songs sound good and make for solid, and rather short in comparison to some of the leaders in this field, Stoner Metal tracks, they aren't all that original. However, the lack of originality is far from the main issue with this release. The vocals on here simply do not fit either of the two songs that make up the album. Both tracks feature what could simply be described as a more nasally approach, comparable to the likes of Ozzy Osborne and Smashing Pumpkins, to the vocal style presented on early Candlemass releases. While the vocals come off really annoying right from the start on "Old yeller", it seems as if they just get worse for "Medusa" due to the production used that puts them a little further in the background, and actually become far more nasally then before.
While the concept of molding together two of the better Doom Metal style bands together and adding a Stoner Metal influence to the music is a good idea, whether that was the intention for this EP or not, Kings Destroy winds up falling short in the long run. With some irritating vocal work done and music that isn't the most enjoyable, this release winds up being more a release for a collector then anything. Then again, it may sound better if you're actually stoned and listening to Stoner Metal, and the obvious faults of this release surely would be more easily overlooked. There's no denying that there is some potential in the band, but until it's recognized, this band will go on hindered.
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