EP Review: King 810 – Under The Black Rainbow (Self Released)

King 810’s next project, ‘Under the Black Rainbow’, is an episodic film series, accompanied by a soundtrack of the same name. Rollout of the film series has begun, with the music EP – the songs living inside the film – arriving on July 12th, 2024.

The follow up to 2023’s ‘Follow My Tears’ EP is perhaps the group’s most uniquely ambitious piece of work to date. David Gunn, Eugene Gill and their familiar cohorts independently funded, wrote, directed, produced, filmed, acted, edited, and distributed Under the Black Rainbow. The band once again teamed up with producer Josh Schroeder for the writing and recording of the musical portion of the film. The story unfolds when KING 810 encounter an enchanted instrument belonging to the angelic priest, King Melchizedek.

Frontman David Gunn explains the project:

I don’t recall formulating Under the Black Rainbow in a single flash of inspiration. More so it was an accumulative effort being a writer of stories, of poetry, of music, and a director of those most trite and stale things called music videos. From these creative vocations all it took then was to listen for an idea to come through. The idea always has to be new, not only to us but to all. Not only novel and unique, but something challenging that may lie just beyond our perceived abilities. So, this project is our attempt at that. To tell yet another story.

Credit where credit is due, this is a very ambitious and imaginative project from King 810. Always capable of surprising and always capable of delivering something memorable. Don’t be under any false illusions though, there are aspects of this EP that is still very much them. It just so happens to be a different kind of story telling from the group.

The story begins to unfold in ominous fashion. An electronic ‘heartbeat’ with underlying dark ambience, whispered vocals, and the sense that things are about to get dangerous. King 810’s creativity is a spectacle from the start, with the sinisterness offset by bursts of intense desperation and horror. It’s mightily unconventional for this band, and more something you experience, rather than listen too.

Which, considering it’s a soundtrack, makes a hell of a lot sense.

There’s something to get the body moving though with Sue’s Song. King 810 pulling out a more vigorous effort that has plenty of anthemic value. Before reaching the apex of their infectiousness with Boogie with The Boogieman. Liable to be a long-term favourite of the listener base going forward because it has got electronic danceable groove, hefty beats, and plenty of cool eccentricities.

The best track on the EP though? It’s Glow, all because of how excellent the melodies are. This is a cinematic track that opens the eyes and ears to the wonderous world that King 810 are showcasing. It’s very pretty, it’s very immersive, and it’s very lovable. It’s always amazing to see King 810 deliver something like this.

Something that is almost matched by the melodrama of Bigger Than the Stones. While it doesn’t have the same level of impact as Glow (it’s that good), the impressive vocals and lyrical content holds the attention right to the very end. King 810 proudly proving, once again, that they deserve a ton more respect than they often get.

King 810 – Under the Black Rainbow Track Listing:

1. Hurry Hurry Ahura Mazda
2. Sue’s Song
3. Boogie with The Boogieman
4. Glow
5. Bigger Than the Stones

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