ALBUM REVIEW: I – For I Am King

In the last few years FOR I AM KING have achieved what some bands can only dream of. Having had the opportunity to play Wacken Open Air before their debut album even hit the airways is a testament that they are on to something special and they hope to build on this with their second full length effort entitled I which is available now via Redfield Records.

Prey gets things underway with a tense building intro before bursting straight into all out insanity. You are confronted by a wall of sound in the form of frantic riffing, vicious growls and thunderous drumming which sets the bar remarkably high from the offset. Forever Blind takes a different approach with clear, energetic guitar work whilst still remaining the hard hitting elements of its predecessors. The punchy, upbeat stride provide ideal components for a track crying out to be introduced into a live format. Impressive solo sweeping towards the latter stages add the exclamation point. Home ups the ante with frenetic pacing, catchy riff work and hammering blast beats. The poignant lyrical content adds a further dimension to frontwoman Alma Alizadeh‘s vocal barrage. Usually when such an aggressive delivery is utilised the pronunciation can be lost in the chaos but every word rings crystal clear. Flamboyant solo work helps to supplement the emotive demeanour.

Misery changes the tempo with a subtle echoing intro before a potent drum/bass combo begin to build up the intensity. Jabbing guitar riffs ebb and flow throughout whilst the melody returns as the track progresses. Invidia provides a short interlude in the form of distorted guitar tones and powerful solo work teeing up the ferocity of In Flames. The lethal combination of drums and vocals take centre stage as seething screams and blast beats cut through the mix like razorwire.

The Reaper Of Souls provides some lively Gothenburg vibes with effective lead work and adrenaline fuelled shredding. The track chops and changes style to keep you guessing at every turn. Devotion combines atmospherics with abrasive vocal blasts and dual riffing reminiscent of DEVILDRIVER, making sure that I maintains the high levels of energy towards the latter stages. In Memory continues the charge with dramatic, punchy instrumentation. The riffs come thick and fast as high-octane shredding runs riot. Havoc picks up the pace for one final assault as the lead work shines through until the very end, providing a dramatic, dynamic conclusion.

I is constructed from such a powerful array of tracks that each individual effort could stand on it’s own and when offered as a cohesive unit delivers a very powerful spectrum of musicianship. Each element has it’s own opportunities to shine without taking precedence over the rest of the arrangement and this is not a feat which is achieved easily. The lyrical content is thought provoking and is clearly a labour of love which wasn’t taken lightly. A lot of emotion has gone into the development of I and it is evident throughout. If you’re not familiar with the previous endeavours of FOR I AM KING then this is the perfect time to become acquainted.

Rating: 9/10

I is available now via Redfield Records.

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