I admire bands that compose only instrumental songs because I guess they have to be much more criative in writing than bands that use vocals in songs. Of course, this is a personal opinion because, in fact, the lack of vocals would make it easier because there is one element less to be created. That’s exactly the point here because in general, in instrumental songs, one of the instruments play the melody part. While in one it is sang with words, in another it is done by an instrument. What I am trying to say is that songs with vocals are much more atractive than only instrumentals. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but they are exceptions.
Ok, then. Here we got King García with “Hamelin.” First thing to warn my dear children of the night is that King García are a Progressive Rock band and I will add very Progressive Rock. The thing is that the band mixes influences from all time Progressive Rock bands so, there are times, they sound as Yes; other times they sound as Marillion, but their signature is to make a kind of cinematic sound that could be the soundtrack of many movies. I totally agree with the band when they say “[i]f Ennio Morricone created a band with Russian Circles that’s how it would probably sound…” That’s it! “Hamelin” is no more, no less.
When one tells a tale many know, one has to be creative. “Hamelin” is a very known story, but King García were able to give it a modern wrapping. The rats here, as the band tells, are politicians, aggressors, patriarchs and religious saviours. By modern I mean the influences on the bass sound in tracks as “We Echo” and “Anise” which contrasts with the Old Wild West mood the band imposed to some songs. The modern sound of the bass also contrasts with the 1960’s sound of the guitars. I’d say King García are a band of many musical contrasts and that’s one of the things that make them Progressive Rock. They build their music by adding layers and layers of sounds that do not belong to the same epoch. “Hamelin” is a hodgpodge of many musical eras. The addition of flutes and clarinets do tell.
I guess many of my Metal fans might strange “Hamelin” a lot; on the other hand, I guess some will not as many Metal bands are experimenting and pushing the same musical boundaries King García are in a different way. I dare to say “Hamelin” does not have any influence of metal music, however, Metal musicians might be influenced by the music in here.
P.S.: I wonder if the name King García as a homage to Grateful Dead’s leader Jerry Garcia.
King García “Hamelin” will be released on Aptil 18th via ViciSolum Productions.
Track Listing:
Watch “Hamelin” official music video here:
Source: metaladdicts.com
