KING'S HAMMER

"To Speak in Tongues" (Broken Curfew Records / Rottweiler Records; 2025)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

There's something low-key and authentic about "To Speak in Tongues," from King's Hammer. The production is (intentionally, I think) rather murky and dank, the music is fast when it needs to be and slows down when it doesn't. It's heavy from beginning to end, with growling death metal vocals and blunt weapon guitars. And it works, throughout its five-track, 16-minute run time.

All of this makes more sense when you discover that one man, Chuck Weatherman, guitarist and vocalist of Richmond, Virginia thrashers Shovelhead A.D., performed all of the music and provided all of the vocals for the release. This is one individual's creation, from beginning to end (with some mastering by Seth Metoyer thrown in) and that gives "To Speak in Tongues" a unique personality all its own. I'm not the biggest fan of death metal but I enjoyed this release. I had listened to it one time through when I discovered that Weatherman played and sang everything, so I gave it another listen with that in mind. Whether it was that realization or I was just more familiar with the material, the second listen was better than the first.

I will admit that "To Speak in Tongues," an EP, at just over a quarter of an hour, is a little too short. It's priced that way, too, however. Currently, over at Bandcamp, you can pick up CD and the digital version of this release for $8.00. Well worth it.

For more information, check out https://kingshammerbcr.bandcamp.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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Copyright © 2025 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.