King 810 Proem Review

King 810

About: 

King 810 hails from Flint, Michigan, the self proclaimed murder capital of the United States. The band features a gangster-core, nu-metal sound with lyrics screamed by their lead David "Gunn" Swan. 

Rock on the Range:

My first experience with King 810 was on the opening day of Rock on the Range 2014. We showed up slightly late to the set, and as we were approaching the Ernie Ball stage, we heard the screamed lyrics of "Fat Around the Heart". The crowd was intense with circle pits forming.

As the music paused, you noticed masked gunmen with AK-47's on the stage. The band immediately began playing "Killem All". The gun wielding masked men starting climbing both sides of the scaffolding. Some fans realized the staged act,while others (like my wife) were looking for an escape route. 

All in all their performance was electric and really set the afternoon right.

Proem:

After being signed to Roadrunner records, King 810 released the EP "Proem". After finding the band extremely entertaining, I immediately purchased the 5 track EP on my way back from Rock on the Range.

Stating it is a 5 track EP, is a bit laughable, although I do really enjoy the album. 

#1. "810" is a serious of news reports of violence throughout the city of Flint.

#2. "Killem All" has a great riff, and David's vocals are grimy and dark. A fantastic music video can be seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJDAgMVzNto

#3. "Fat Around the Heart" is my favorite track on the album. The lyrical content is very strong. This could possibly be the anthem needed to propel the band into further popularity.

"I grew up at a church on Sunday, back again, bury friends on Monday."

#4. "Desperate Lovers" is a very original track. Of all the songs on the track, this one has real guitars and real drums that you can hear. Much less "Rap Rock", and much more metal. 

#5. "Anatomy 1:1" is a wannabe freestyle in essence of Pastor Troy's "Face Off Intro" on the 2001 release of Faceoff. Unfortunately King 810's freestyle is horrible. One additional track on this EP would have made it among my favorite EP's of all time. Instead the EP has gold that ends with a sour note.

Overall: 

Roadrunner's gamble on King 810 may payoff. The huge reception and notoriety the band has received the last month should help their first full length album (due to be released late summer) sell. It will be interested to see if metal fans will find King 810 appealing. I for one am a fan.

Rating: 5 out of 6 Skulls