King Giant - Dismal Hollow
The Obelisk
Stoner Rock
8 songs (48:38)
Release year: 2012
King Giant
Reviewed by Cory

Here is a new genre to throw in your book: Appalachian Metal. Yep, that was the tagline for this album when I picked up the promo awhile back, and while King Giant’s Dismal Hollow balances a fine line between stoner rock and metal (similar to Alice in Chains), the fact that these gentleman hail from Pimmit Hills, Virginia lends more than enough credibility to the term for me to call it legit. So what form of musical moonshine are they brewing up in them there mountains? The old school grooving riff oriented kind, and strong enough to knock you on your ass before the first song plays out. Yes friends, this is the top of the line quality that you should be jumping out of your seat for.

King Giant is a five piece band, with a strong gritty foundation in Floyd Walter’s solid bass lines and Brook’s drum work. The selling point, however, is the gifted touch of David Kowalski’s rhythm guitar and Todd Ingram’s lead guitar. Together these gent’s lead you by the nose as they work their way through songs that are tight as hell, yet possess a jam band feel that fills your speakers with great riffs. Topping it off is the gritty vocal delivery of Dave Hammerly, who sounds as if he is singing in between a swig of beer and a draw on a cigarette. In other words, perfect for this band. Together they form a tight, no bull shit, outfit that is simply here to play some rock. Nothing more, nothing less.

Each song delivers individually, with nothing dipping below “damn good” territory. Yet stand outs there are, including the grooving Tale of Mathias (my choice for top song), thunderous A Steward’s Prayer, and closer O’ Drifter. Musically, imagine Alice In Chains if they loosened up their song writing and spent more time in the riff department rather than focusing on strong choruses. That is about the closest comparison I can think of. I suppose you can also throw in some older influences like Lynard Skynard and the usual southern rock crowd, but King Giant’s style is much more aggressive and “dirtier” than that would lead you to believe.

If you enjoy an album that focuses on the groove riffs with a lead that will drop your jaw in appreciation, then this is about as safe a bet as you will find this year. Stoner Rock, Metal, or somewhere in between, the only thing that truly matters is that this is an album that delivers the goods with heart and soul. Highly recommended.

Killing Songs :
All kill, but Tale of Mathias gets the standout nod
Cory quoted 89 / 100
Other albums by King Giant that we have reviewed:
King Giant - Southern Darkness reviewed by Khelek and quoted 78 / 100
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