ALBUM REVIEW: Set The World On Fire – King Creature
As much as it’s difficult to admit at times, a standout vocalist can make or break a band that has all the other elements of greatness working in their favour. Unfortunately, this is the case with UK hard rock quartet KING CREATURE and their second record Set The World On Fire. The band has such a solid structure and sound in their instrumentation that it feels disheartening to have it weighed down by, for the most part, lacklustre and non-memorable vocal performances. While conjuring up roaring solos with immaculate tone and thundering riffs, the band can’t seem to seal the deal with a truly great vocal hook or singing that elevates those other pieces and creates a truly must hear song.
Production wise, Set The World On Fire sounds suitably thick and chunky. A little more solidity on the drums would be nice, but overall, the record sounds raucous and large, as it should. The obvious commendation for entire record needs to go to the band for their playing. The bass, courtesy of Dave Kellaway, who also provides vocals, is thunderous throughout. The drums follow suit and hold it down exactly as needed, which is perfect for the sound the band is known for. But the guitars, man. The guitars. They’re exquisite. Dave Evans and Matt K Vincent tear it up and almost every solo is a gem, not to mention the slamming riffs these guys put down. The guitar work across the board is an absolute highlight and the way they both intertwine and play off each other adds excellent texture to each song.
There are songs that do have a good combination of all these elements and vocals that rise a bit higher. Falling Down Again and The Storm harken back to Lead Sails Paper Anchor-era ATREYU with Kellaway’s voice drawing hints of Brandon Saller, and with the guitar attack and tone definitely calling to mind shades of it. They’re straight-ahead rockers that both stand out on the record. When Kellaway goes high in his voice, it definitely kicks up a notch, and the harmonies on the record sound good. But when the vocals stand alone amidst the rest of the instruments, there’s not too much memorable here.
Wisdom Told is a neat ballad that features some high flying guitar theatrics and flair for a two minute ending which overstays its welcome for just a bit, and Demon Within is a punkier, faster paced track with some nice harmonies. The opening salvo of Desolation and Captives feature some fat, chunky tone and stomping riffs and some massive bass to back them up. But the main problem remains the same. The vocals just do not stand out in any way shape or form, and again, that’s hard to swallow when the guitars sound absolutely fabulous on every song.
Fear of the Fool is a nice bluesy rocker, with another tasty solo to digest and with the vocals fitting the tone a bit more, and Live Forever picks up the pace to end the record with a hard charging finish with another comparably strong vocal performance and some more nice harmonies. More astoundingly addictive guitar work ends the record with a bang, but the record ultimately leaves the listener wanting more from the experience. Vocally, from start to finish, nothing much ascends to that next level.
Powerful and memorable vocals are the difference between a good record and a great record, and unfortunately that is the dividing factor with Set The World On Fire. KING CREATURE, instrumentally, are firing on all cylinders on almost every track, but weak vocals just drag the record down and create a ‘one and done’ sort of mentality song to song. Set The World On Fire is a fine record that knows its hard rock fundamentals and in many degrees plays them to perfection, but in perhaps the biggest key area, it falls flat. A bit of cognitive dissonance with this one.
Rating: 6/10
Set The World On Fire is out now via Marshall Records.
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