KING KARMA
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
King Karma is solid hard rock at its very best. With touches of such legendary bands as Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, KISS, Blue Oyster Cult, Molly Hatchet and Whitesnake - just to name a few - King Karma delivers a kick ass sound that's all their own but that will bring a smile to fans of classic hard rock.
The CD consists of mostly solid rockers ("Breathe," "Devil's Road," "Mama's Pride"), a couple of slower songs ("Blue Monday," "Revolution Man") and, of course, a ballad-y song or two ("I'm Listening," "Don't Take the World Out on Me"). Most of the songs have a bluesy, almost Southern tinge to them but this Vancouver-based band never overplays this, allowing that hint of the blues to give their music a little soul.
Vocalist Shaun Williamson sounds somewhat like Bobby Barth of Axe and that's not a bad thing. Both Williamson and Barth can belt out the heavy tunes as well as the slower ones. The guitars of Markus Wolfe are sharp and well-defined and the rhythm section of Todd Ronning and Rick Fedyk display their talent in their variety - both shine at the harder and the softer songs.
The production should also be noted here as this self-produced CD is as well-produced as anything you've heard released by the major labels lately. There's a reason for that - "King Karma" was produced by veterans Jimmy Johnson and Steve Melton who have worked in the past with such legends as The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger and Greg Allman. Johnson and Melton have given King Karma that oh-so-important edge that too many bands can't seem to find.
Fans of rock'n'roll from the likes of the bands mentioned above will find a lot to like in King Karma.
King Karma: Shaun Williamson - lead vocals; Markus Wolfe - guitar; Todd Ronning - bass; Rick Fedyk - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.kingkarma.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the
cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Revised: 29 Mar 2020 11:41:30 -0500.
