Release Date: July 31st 2024. Record Label: Rue Morgue Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Second Dawn: Tracklisting
1.Scelestic Dusk
2.Rat King
3.Hollow Man Blues
4.Creep On
5.Madagascar Tree
6.Brute Beast
7.Aruna, Sunmonger
8.Second Dawn
Members
Daniel Durack (vocals/guitar)
Connor Pitts-West (guitar)
Martin Gonzalez (bass)
Sean Ryan (drums)
Review
Aussie Doom/Stoner Metallers King Zog return with their new album Second Dawn and have similar creative elements to legendary acts such as Electric Wizard, Goatsnake, Black Sabbath and The Obsessed. However, King Zog manage to add their own trendsetting sound to the mix by adding heavy pounding THRASH grooves that remind me of METALLICA in places especially within the early stages of the album appearing on tracks such as Scelestic Duck, Rat King and Hollow Man Blues.
The record has a seedy and violent FUZZ ROCK undertone with a classic Proto-Doom structure allowing King Zog to AIM HIGH with an abundance of highly original grooves and trippy instrumental jams. The band add elements of classic guitar shredding which moves the record through the golden age and heyday of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal whilst being opening for a sinister Post-Doom and Post-Sludge feel that comes shining through their intense fantastical lyrics and superb vocals by Daniel Durack.
With their 2017 critically acclaimed debut self-titled album a distant memory, King Zog have perhaps reinvented themselves both creatively speaking and offering a heavier and sonic induced journey that allows Second Dawn to be an engaging and brilliantly produced affair. The instrumental solos channel that legendary BLACK SABBATH and ELECTRIC WIZARD way of life with overlapping distorted vocals and bombastic lyrical themes on other great tracks such as Creep On, Madagascar Tree, Brute Beast and the stunning title track Second Dawn.
The later stages of the record sees King Zog becoming more CINEMATIC and PROGRESSIVE with their music. As the sound has longer drawn out DISTORTED and PSYCHEDELIC movements which adds a sludgier undergroove to the whole record. Second Dawn may feel under-produced to some.
However, this allows the record to have a cerebral and threatening presence that resonates into some mighty fine FUZZED UP aggression and twisted SONIC energy before King Zog ends the album with a highly satisfactory conclusion whilst still leaving the listener begging for more seductive tracks to haunt them with.
Second Dawn is quite the statement of intent from King Zog who will no doubt not only be making major waves within the Aussie Doom/Stoner Metal scene but also perhaps within the global scene at the same time.
This is an absolute BEAST of a record for KING ZOG to slay audiences with and is an album with the “WOW FACTOR” that is simply unmissable.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.
Second Dawn will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Rue Morgue Records from Wednesday 31st July 2024.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
