Album Review: King Gorm – King Gorm (Self Released)

Carl Fisher 2 min read

Some bands often claim they are ‘taking it back to the days of old’, but in King Gorm’s case it is quite literal. Much like their namesake – a Danish ruler from the 900s – the San Diego collective focus on telling bard-like tales, though updated in the form of classic rock. Their self-titled début album is a bold first step, reinventing familiarity by taking the legends of old and putting a modern spin on them. Out on July 31st 2020.

If you’re a fan of Richie Blackmore, Deep Purple, Rainbow and the likes, you’ll find yourself in familiar territory with King Gorm. Mixing fantasy and classic rock, the four-piece attempt to stand out with their own variation.

Which they do. To a degree.

There’s no escaping the fact that we have a record that sounds aged. Which is not such a novelty these days as it once was. With that in mind, a band has to try even harder to make their ‘old-school’ record stand out. Not just from the modern cacophony of bands trying to do the same but the countless bands that came before.

Bands that cemented the sound and made successful careers out of it.

It’s a near-impenetrable fence that King Gorm have to try and get through. Very difficult but not impossible and to give them credit, they sure go for it. Straining every muscle and sinew in the effort, so admirably done that you can’t help but cheer them on.

That’s not pity. Rather, a genuine desire to see a kick ass rock and roll band like this make it. With a bevy of catchy riffs, solos rhythms, foot-tapping drums and deep rivets of bass, King Gorm certainly have the instruments for it. That’s before we even mention the sultry vocals laying over everything loosely.

Put it all together and we have King Gorm’s self-titled debut.

King Gorm – King Gorm Full Track Listing:

1. Into
2. Freedom Calls
3. Four Heroes
4. Irondale Burning
5. Song From Brighter Days
6. Beyond Black Rainbow
7. The Witch of Irondale
8. Slaughter the King
9. Ultimate Reality




King Gorm Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

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King Gorm - King Gorm (Self Released)
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