Album review: KXM – Circle Of Dolls (featuring George Lynch, dUg Pinnick, Ray Luzier)

September 23rd, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers [Release date 13.09.19]

Of all the projects George Lynch has been associated with in the past five or six years, KXM seems to be a keeper. We noted their debut, in 2014, “will appeal to his fans (and to those of his fellow musicians) and lovers of hard-hitting, relentless, but ultimately tuneful heavy rock” and this was followed up three years later with ‘Scatterbrain’.

There will obviously be comparisons with the wider work of the constituent members. (Let’s spell it right) dUg Pinnick (King’s X) stamps his distinctive vocals and robust bass, George Lynch harks back to Lynch Mob (if a tad more restrained) whilst Ray Luzier (Korn) makes this a complete power trio.

With such a band, the real strength comes from good, solid songwriting and ‘Circle Of Dolls’ delivers. The three-some are at their best on the mid-tempo stuff such as ‘Lightning’, ‘Time Flies’ and ‘Twice’.

Elsewhere it is fairly relentless and riff-driven such as ‘Mind Swamp’, ‘A Day Without Me’, and the funky ‘Big As The Sun’ although ‘Vessel Of Destruction’ is a bit ordinary.

Sadly the Kings X UK tour in September was cancelled. In the shorter term, ‘Circle Of Dolls’ is a reasonable and relevant substitute. But, moreover, perhaps KXM will further confirm their staying power and announce a tour of their own. ****

Review by David Randall

Album review (KXM, 2014)

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