Album review: KXM – KXM (featuring George Lynch,Dug Pinnick,Ray Luzier)

KXM

earMUSIC [Release date 02.06.14]

The latest George Lynch project has been germinating for a couple of years. When I interviewed the legendary guitarist in November 2012 he mentioned that it was in the pipeline as he promoted the T & N album featuring one-time Dokken mate Jeff Pilsen.

KXM teams him with Dug Pinnick (King’s X) and Ray Luzier of Korn in what is essentially a power trio. If T & N turned out slightly less than the sum of its parts, retreading Dokken tunes and using guest vocalists, KXM is more cohesive.

Pinnick’s vocals immediately put a King’s X stamp on the proceedings which are lifted by Lynch’s heavy riffage and fluid, if understated, soloing. Highlights include the pounding ‘Rescue Me’, ‘Faith In A Room’, the gut-churning ‘Sleep’, and ‘Do It Now’. The pace rarely slackens and when it does the one ballad is disposable. The album also features those trademark King’s X-patented harmonies which only adds to the overall feeling of quality and perhaps a little deja-vu.

Although having some success in the States – it was originally released on Lynch’s own Rat Pack label before a remix job for the European market – this is one of those “supergroup” albums that could easily rest – unfairly – under the radar. Even the bonus track – the all-too short, slightly Beck-esque instrumental – ‘Tranquilize’, is worth having.

In short, it isn’t earth-shattering but at least Lynch is keeping his hand in and the album will appeal to his fans (and to those of his fellow musicians) and lovers of hard-hitting, relentless, but ultimately tuneful heavy rock. ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)