VIDEO'S OF THE WEEK: KING'S X

[Niels (Mod)]

VOTW - KING'S X Special

King's X is one of the bands, I got to know through reading the english Heavy rock-magazine Kerrang! in the 80's. Other bands, I found through that magazine (usually before, they had released their debut-album, or just as they did release it) was Queensrÿche, Tesla, Night Ranger and Guns'n'Roses. King's X got a great review of their debut-album (6 K's), so I went out and bought it in 1988, and loved it. It really sounded fresh, and not like all the Hair-Metal crap, that was released around that time. A new album was then released in the summer of 1989, and that album ended up being my favorite album of 1989, and probably still is my favorite King's X-album, "Gretchen goes to Nebraska", that is. But around the release of their fourth album in 1992, I felt they weren't developing their sound as much, and that they kind of stuck with the same sound, at least until they released "Dogman" in 1994. That album did sound a bit like the Grunge, I loved around that time, but not quite, so I stopped following the band.....but only until 2000, where I kind of missed buying King's X-albums, so I went out, and bought the two albums, they had released in 1998 and a new one in 2000. But it never was the same again, as the first 3 albums, and those albums, I still listen to now and then. The band IS definitely one of the most underrated bands of all time. Oh, and Ty Tabor might just be no. 3 of my personal list over best guitarists of alltime. Here are some video's:

KING

Out of the Silent Planet is the debut release from King's X. The title of the album comes from that of a book by C.S. Lewis, an author favored by band members Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill. "Out of the Silent Planet" is also the title of the first track from the follow up album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska.

OVER MY HEAD

Gretchen Goes to Nebraska is the second studio album by American heavy metal/hard rock trio King's X. It is a concept album based on a short story written by drummer Jerry Gaskill. Having received strong critical praise and fan support, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska is considered among the best work of King's X.

IT'S LOVE

"It's Love" is a song by progressive metal band King's X appearing on their album Faith Hope Love. It was released in 1990 on Megaforce Records. It is the band's highest charting single, peaking at #6 on Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1990. The song is much noted for its Beatles-like sound. One of my favorite King's X-songs appear on this album: "Fine Art Of Friendship".

DOGMAN

Dogman is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal/hard rock trio King's X. It marks the band's second album under Atlantic and their first to be produced by Brendan O'Brien, who had just come off scoring big hits with Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and The Black Crowes. Dogman signaled a heavier direction for King's X and, with strong approval from both critics and fans, is often considered one of their best works. On this album, possible my very favorite by this band appears: "Fool You". Awesome song!!

"FADE"

Tape Head is the seventh album by heavy metal/hard rock trio King's X, released in 1998.Let's hear, what Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme has got to say about King's X:

[Scott]

KING ...  Well this is a first, of all the Kings X music posted on here this is the track I find most appealing, maybe I'm getting acclimated, I don't know, but this was cool song...

OVER MY HEAD ... This is also very good but not quite as good as King.  The musicianship is top notch though and the guitar work really is very appealing.  And this being their highest charting tune, its not familiar to me at all.  Maybe I missed it though.  Again, nice guitar work but the tune isn't really that interesting to me.

ITS LOVE ... Beatle-esque?  Maybe they tried to be in the vocal harmonies, but the song sounds a bit like a slowed down Extreme tune.

DOGMAN ... The inevitable appearance of the downtuned guitar in the mid 90's.  They even took out the guitar solo!  That's so grunge!  And so not what Ive found to really like about this band up to this point and that's the guitar work.

FADE ... Downtuned but at least they added a guitar solo back into the mix...  Apparently the 90's version of this band is not for me...

Sorry Nuno... Ive disappointed you, much like that last Extreme album... 

[Niels (Mod)]

You should definitely check out their first two albums.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm good with King's X.  But I can't say I love them.  Let's see about these videos...

King - Well, I do like this song a lot.  The rhythm, the vocals.  All of it is excellent. The video is a concept for the most part, which is not surprising given the time the song was released.  All around good on this one.

Over My Head - Okay, I like this one a lot too.  It just has a terrific groove.  This time we get a performance video, and it's a cool one.  Two for two.

It's Love - I don't remember this one by name, but I recognize it as soon as it starts playing.  Funny, I don't see King's X as a progressive metal band, but that's just me.  The vocals, as usual, are top notch, and the song has another pretty good groove. The video is mostly a concept, but who knows what the concept is?  Not me. 

Dogman - Yep, you can hear the grunge influence here.  Nothing wrong with that if you ask me.  A big chunk of the video is in black and white, and I always like that.  Another very good song.

Fade - Not a bad song.  Another good groove.  The guitar player looks kind of like Ray Romano. Not much of a concept as far as the video goes, mostly performance.  I'll give 'em this, they do a good performance video.  I don't have Tapehead, but I do remember a couple of folks around here saying how underrated that album is.  

Nuno- I'm guessing he likes them.

Like I said, I like them, but I don't love them.  All of these songs are quite good, it's just that after a while, there stuff just sounds the same.  Good pick this week though.