Dangerdog Music Reviews :: © 1999 - 2024 Craig S Hartranft :: All Rights Reserved
No part of this this website, including design and music reviews,
may be reproduced in any form or by any means without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
- New Music Reviews
- |
- Archives
- |
- News
- |
- Submissions
- |
- About
- |
- |
New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
September 2024
- Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
- Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
- Eclipse: Megalomanium II
- SteelCity: Reverence
- Hydra: ReHydrated
- Heartwind: III
- Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
- Find Me: Nightbound
- The Nail: The Nail
- Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
- Stryper: When We Were Kings
- Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
- Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
- Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly
August 2024
- Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
- Paralydium: Universe Calls
- Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
- Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
- All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
- Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
- Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2
July 2024
- Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
- Spektra: Hypnotized
- (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
- Mr. Big: Ten
- Dark Mile: Dark Mile
June 2024
- Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
- Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
- Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
- Atlantic: Another World
- Xeneris: Eternal Rising
- New Horizon: Conquerors
- Issa: Another World
May 2024
- Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
- Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
- Perseus: Into The Silence
- Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
- Marty Friedman: Drama
- Demon: Invincible
- The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
- The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
- Riot V: Mean Streets
- Anette Olzon: Rapture
- FM: Old Habits Die Hard
Zeroking: Kings of Self Destruction
Zeroking: Kings of Self Destruction
Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
4.5/5.0
Facebook
ReverbNation
Independent/Unsigned
review by Craig Hartranft, 01.30.2012
If you think the spit and swagger of classic American hard rock has been lost to the trends of emo, screamo, post-grunge, or hipsters wearing scarves and Clark Kent glasses, here's West Virginia's Zeroking. Kings of Self Destruction is hard rock as it was meant to be: below the belt and whiskey drenched, driven by a rock groove, powerful vocals and stinging guitars. Zeroking is the real deal. Think the best melodic hard rock of the late Eighties invigorated by a GnR strut.
For the 'dead on' hard rock tunes Dead Rock Star, Stone Cold Bitch, Black Friday, and Showtime deliver with fist-pumping inspiration. A rock groove and catchy hook propels most songs, making The Party's Over another 'spot on' rockin song. A southern flair inhabits the acoustic and piano bits of Southern Lady, a very nice touch and compliment to the Zeroking sound.
But it's not all kick-ass grit. Zeroking surprises with the inspired and epic rock ballads, Valentine and Leaving California, which closes the album. Zeroking teams up with fellow Huntington native Stacee Lawson for the fine rock duet Love is Dead.
The album is also well-produced, the musicianship skilled, and Andy Haught one of the best new pure rock vocalists to emerge on the scene.
Zeroking's Kings of Self Destruction is a well-executed and well-played platter of classic American hard rock. The vigor and adrenaline in their music is infectious and entertaining. The next big thing in American hard rock? I could live with that. Strongly recommended.
Tweet
More Ways to Share This Review
In Short
Zeroking's Kings of Self Destruction is a well-executed and well-played platter of classic American hard rock. The next big thing in American hard rock? I could live with that.
Find A Review
Alphabetical Index
New & Notable
By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]