King Cruel - Sky Eater (EP Review)

Release Date: December 05th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Sky Eater - Tracklisting

Haunting Time

Diamond Darya

Sky Eater

Review

Psych Doom/Stoner Metallers King Cruel return with their latest EP - Sky Eater and one that follows their 2023 debut EP Creeper. That EP allowed King Cruel to play a stylish mix of Doom, Psych, Stoner, Proto-Metal and Occult Rock themes. The band still play that sound within Sky Eater but they’ve added an unforgiving style of Grunge and Post-Stoner grittiness to their music which I can hear within the excellent opening track of Haunting Time. This is where the band develops a highly melodic sense with emotionally engaging lyrics to match.

The vocals are delivered with a sense of gloomy optimism and eternal dread which keeps in with the Post-Doom and Occult Rock aspect of their previous EP Creeper. The musical landscapes are quite progressive and leans quite heavily into some intense moments of flashy Hard Rock solos along the way.

Second track Diamond Darya is a stirring mix of Eighties Hard Rock excess with a burgeoning modern Psych Rock and Stoner Metal with King Cruel offering bombastic lyrics and over the top themes that still feel remarkably grounded thanks to the excellent vocals and superb musical solos that each band member provides. The Post-Stoner attitude fully takes over towards the end of the song with King Cruel offering some of the standout melodies within the whole EP.

The final track Sky Eater is where King Cruel makes everything count with a classic Grunge attitude forming behind the scenes and you can hear influences as diverse as Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Velvet Revolver with the sound still being quite DOOM & GLOOM obsessive in the best possible way. This allows King Cruel to fully develop their own intriguing style of music where the RIFF IS KING.

My only complaint is that I would have enjoyed another track to finish off the EP as it’s quite short, running around thirteen minutes in length. However, it’s always best to leave the audience wanting more and King Cruel has succeeded on every level with Sky Eater. I'm hoping King Cruel has more great music to impress us with in the near future as Sky Eater is an absolute joy to listen to from start to finish.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp | Instagram 

King Cruel - Creeper (EP Review)

Release Date: November 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Creeper - Tracklisting

1.Creeper 04:54

2.Resurrection 03:02

3.Shotgun Sally 05:07

Members

Luke Oram - Vocals

Evan Cooper - Drums

Josh Hodgson - Guitars

Review

Creeper is the debut EP from Psych/Doom/Stoner Metallers King Cruel who are another cool band to check out from the burgeoning New Zealand underground scene. Taking cues from bands such as Black Sabbath, Uncle Acid and The Obsessed. King Cruel brings a seedy and sinister 1970’s Doom Metal attitude to their modern day based Fuzzed Up Stoner Metal sound which is beefed up by Sludgy Psychedelics and trippy guitars. The vocals are quite melodic which I didn’t expect with the dark lyrics the band have written for the three tracks for the EP.

Switching between different styles and creative themes from the Doom/Stoner Rock world, King Cruel play a muscular and aggressive style of music with the stunning guitar work of Josh Hodgson being my favourite part of the whole EP. Josh brings a punishing sound to the EP with stellar work from lead vocalist Luke Oram and intense drums from Evan Cooper. 

All the tracks on Creeper are absolute bangers and all equally good as each other with King Cruel playing stylish FUZZY and SLUDGY guitars against a backdrop of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal which moves further into SONIC DISTORTION and freaky atmospheric sounds that gives the band a more modern based vibe to the whole EP.

Creeper is a great way for King Cruel to introduce themselves to the Doom/Stoner Metal scene. As this EP is bloody first rate entertainment which benefits from sublime production values which Evan Cooper and Josh Hodgson are mostly responsible for. Luke Oram deserves praise for the stunning artwork for Creeper. As this allows the listener what to expect from Creeper.

King Cruel have the potential to be future breakout stars from the New Zealand Doom/Stoner Metal scene. I await future releases from King Cruel with great anticipation. Check this great band out now.

Words by Steve Howe 

Links

Facebook | BandCamp