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

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)