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It’s been quite a ride the last few years for Indiana hardcore act Kingston Falls. Having sold over 3,000 copies of their Strikefirst Records debut The Crescendo of Sirens, not to mention relentlessly touring with the band War of Ages, as well as opening for and touring with other Facedown Records bands, these guys continue to be straight forward in their lyrics and presentation. Another factor with the band is that they have received multiple reviews from media publications like Revolver, AMP, HM Magazine, and Outburn, just to name a few. Making the transition to Facedown Records last Fall, Kingston Falls are back with Armada on Mercury, a slightly more melodic effort with plenty of pop, punk, and metal riffs and arrangements to boot. One listen to the album and there’s no mistaking the band’s energy and passion in every song they record.
Armada on Mercury was produced by Joey Sturgis, known for his work with mainstream screamo band The Devil Wears Prada, and is 12 tracks of pure, unadulterated metal mayhem combined with the veracity of punk and a hint of screamo. The majority of the album in question is flooded with rough-and-tumble guitar rhythms, brutal vocals, and stealth drum beats. Though out of place with the other tracks, the album’s short but fun-tinged lead-off single and video “Freakin eXtreme” serves as a hard rock number that’d easily find airplay on extreme sports programs. Kingston Falls exhibits a moderately similar sound to labelmates War of Ages particularly on the songs “On Contentment” and “The Illusionist’s Dream,” but still have enough of the band’s signature sound to assure the listener that they haven’t copycated War of Ages intentionally. The band’s mixture of punk and metal come together intently on the smooth but painstakingly honest “Songs and Fables” and the harmonious “Sand Castle Karma.”
The album’s messages are anything but short of spiritual content as the track “Armada on Mercury” is a plea for salvation because time on Earth is short, while “Curse of Might” creatively defines the events occurring between the rise of the Anti-Christ and the battle of Armageddon. Armada on Mercury is definitely a step up from Kingston Falls’ previous effort and is a must have for any fan of real underground hardcore or metal. Kingston Falls is one band not easily forgotten with their layered choruses and sonically beautiful melodies. With a sound this unique, it’d be hard to imagine the band’s Spring 2008 tour with Remove the Veil and Means being anything but amazing. Get pumped for a band that claims to be “freakin extreme.”
| Production | 8 | | Lyrics | 9 | | Message | 9 | | Overall Quality
9 |
Release Date: March 18, 2008
Label: Facedown Records
Track Listing
1. The Christening
2. Armada on Mercury
3. Too Hot For Cold Feet
4. On Contentment
5. The Great Divide
6. Freakin' eXtreme!
7. The Illusionist's Dream
8. Songs & Fables
9. Curse of Might
10. Dry Skin(Moz Def)
11. Sand Castle Karma
12. Too Bad About Your Situation
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