KYNG - AUGUSTA (JANUARY 8, 2015)

Have you heard Kyng's Burn The Serum from last year? If not, then you should make it a point to listen to it (a purchase would be beneficial to the band). Kyng is a three-piece metal band that hails from California, USA. The band features Eddie Veliz on guitar and lead vocals, Tony Castaneda on bass and backing vocals and Pepe Clark on drums. Here's a little better photo of the band (mine was taken with a crappy iPhone camera).

The band's discography consists of two albums, Trampled Sun (2011) and as previously mentioned, Burn The Serum (2014). I own both, but it's the latter that really jump-started my interest in the band. Personally, although Trampled Sun showed promise with very good musicianship, Burn The Serum just reached another level with both the song writing and the vocal melodies. Anyway, all that is personal opinion, and if you like your metal with some melody, you owe it to yourself to check this band out and give 'em a little support.

As far as the show goes, it took place at a small Augusta night club named Surreal at Surrey. The advertisement for the show said doors open at 7pm, show to start at 8pm. Nope. This place was totally unorganized. Me and my buddy Mike Mills showed up at about 10 minutes before 8pm. The door guy claimed the doors weren't to open until 8pm. Anyway, it was just unorganized. So we get in the door and have no problem grabbing a seat. Center stage. We ended up talking until 9:30pm, when the show finally started. The opener was, to say the least (or the most positive in this case), well outside of my comfort zone. Have you ever seen American History X? The band that was playing at the party that Danny went to? That's the only thing I could think of. I never got their name for sure, but we think we pieced it together as Motoreich. There was a drummer, two guitarists, a bassist, a lead vocalist (with a mohawk) and a big country boy with overalls that really just yelled hell-yeah into his mic occasionally. Really weird. I took a video for the next to last song. If I can get it uploaded, I will post it in the reply section. But keep in mind, it will most definitely be unsafe for work, children, your mom or your pastor.

Please bring on Kyng. After a very short break, Kyng hit the stage. They sounded great. Very much like they do on CD. I think Veliz (far right in the photo above) is a really good vocalist. Maybe not the greatest pure voice in the history of metal, but just a good sound to his. He was a bit animated on stage, but nothing over the top. And in my opinion, the drummer is fantastic. Really powerful with a lot of work on the toms, not so much snare work. Castaneda (far left in the good photo) is quite solid as well on the bass and with the backing vocals.

It was quite obvious that this was just a warm up for a full tour for the band. Veliz said this was the first show they had done in a while, and they will be opening for Seether and Papa Roach starting Sunday. So we got exactly ten songs, nothing more nothing less. And I can't say that I blame them. The place was practically empty. Fifty folks at the most, maybe not that many. I did my best with the set list and I'll post it below.

Bottom line is, Kyng is a good metal trio. Loud with some terrific songs. No fluff. Just straight forward power. Check 'em out if you get a chance.

Set List:

1. Burn The Serum

2. Lost One

3. Trails In Veins

4. I Don't Believe

5. Electric Halo

6. In The Land Of Pigs

7. Sunday Smile

8. (Not sure what this song was, but it was fast and heavy)

9. Falling Down

10. Shorelines

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott on January 9, 2015 at 7:07pm

Maybe 50? I count less than 10 on the floor listening to the band which means 12 (rounding up) adding you and Mike. Where were the other 38?

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Permalink Reply by RJhog (Admin) on January 9, 2015 at 7:21pm

Behind us.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Mills on January 9, 2015 at 7:45pm

We had front row seats! After seeing Kyng live & listening through the cd a couple of more times, the songs seem to resonate with me a lot more.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Mills on January 9, 2015 at 7:50pm

They sounded very good live, the music & vocals were spot on to the cd. These guys were professional & performed with precision. There was a very disappointing turnout, but those who were there, left thoroughly entertained!

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Permalink Reply by RJhog (Admin) on January 9, 2015 at 10:44pm

This is the opening band, I kid you not...

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Permalink Reply by Scott on January 10, 2015 at 8:07am

be careful what you post, Jon may be planning something for LAOTW now...

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Permalink Reply by RJhog (Admin) on January 10, 2015 at 9:39am

Well, I didn't mention it in the review, but dude said this was the band's first show. And I also failed to mention that they are from South Carolina, which actually explains a lot.