DOGMAN

Dogman is the fifth album from Texan trio King's X. It contains some of their heaviest moments so far with more emphasis on metallic riffs though overall there's little progression from the first 4. Having said that, it does contain some classic King's X moments with only a couple of weak tracks.

If you've already heard any King's X albums then stylistically you'll know what you're in store for here. If you haven't King's X are a melodic heavy rock band, sometimes drifting into metal with a few prog overtones. Their trump cards are Ty Tabors distinctive guitar playing; heavy at times, yet warm, rich and full with a style ranging from heavy riffing to sublime arpeggios. In Doug Pinnick they have a superb soulful vocalist (also plays bass) and Tabor and drummer Jerry Gaskill also contribute vocals and are known to take the occasional lead (though not here) but more often than not supply the Beatles influenced backing vocals.

Title track Dogman is a killer way to open an album. With its grinding stop/start riff it's one of the bands heaviest moments yet still retains a strong melody. After such a great start Shoes is a bit of a let down; another mid paced heavy riff but ultimately lacking a memorable tune. Pretend gets things back on track with an instantly catchy riff alongside Tabors lush arpeggios, a great vocal from Pinnick and driven along by his powerful toppy bass sound and Gaskills solid dependable drumming.

Flies and Blue Skies is King's X at their most sublime. A slow ballad, again an instantly likeable melody with those recognisable backing vocals alongside Pinnicks more restrained but still soulful lead. Black the Sky gets things back on a heavier track with its slow grinding riff and is another strong presence. Another beautiful melodic moment is Fool You, like Pretend marrying Tabors arpeggios with heavy riffs on the chorus.

Don't Care is one of the weaker tracks. While sticking to the King's X rocker formula it's simply let down by a weak melody, an integral part of all the best songs by the band. However it does have some dextrous drumming from Gaskill at the end as he solo's over the closing riff.

Sunshine Rain is beautiful with its sparse verse yet getting heavier for the chorus. Another sublime moment, where balance of light and shade against the heavier moments is spot on. Complain picks up the tempo and is another strong rocker with a strong hook. Followed by Human Behaviour, another track with a stop/start riff for the verse and grinding riff for the chorus. Not bad but not one of their better tracks.

Cigarettes is another typically restrained on the verse but heavier on the chorus type moment. Go To Hell is a bit of a throwaway track. Uptempo and noisy but thankfully short at 51 seconds. Better is Pillow which is another slow paced slice of heavy rock.

I'm not normally a lover of bands playing other peoples songs, a bit of a pointless exercise unless you can do it better which rarely happens. However the live version of Manic Depression that closes this album is a well executed faithful reproduction of the Jimi Hendrix classic.

So another excellent album from King's X with just a couple of weaker tracks keeping it from being an outright classic but well worth adding to your collection.

KING'S X started their careers with 3 amazing albums, but a lot of fans were disappointed with their self titled fourth record. "Dogman" is their fifth, and they come out swinging on this one. This is perhaps their heaviest album ever, and by far the heaviest one up to this point.

"Dogman" has an intro similar to getting punched in the face when you didn't even know you were in a fight. A ton of bottom end as Doug sings with passion. This is a grungy headbanger. "Shoes" has some harmonies that come and go in contrast to the heavy sections. "Pretend" has this powerful undercurrent throughout. I like this one a lot. Chunky bass before 2 1/2 minutes as Ty starts to solo on his guitar. "Flies And Blue Skies" is fairly slow paced with some beautiful bluesy guitar that comes and goes. "Black The Sky" is a powerful and heavy tune. The guitar 2 1/2 minutes in is fantastic. This is the heaviest yet. "Fool You" builds to a climax then starts over again.

"Don't Care" has this heavy duty intro and the heaviness comes and goes throughtout. Nice drum work late on this one. "Sunshine Rain" is a catchy song,nice guitar before 3 minutes. "Complain" is a favourite of mine. It hits the ground running. Ty lights it up before 2 minutes. "Human Behaviour" sounds amazing. Huge bottom end in this one. "Cigarettes" is 3 incredible tracks in a row. Love Doug's pleading vocals and Ty's emotional playing. "Go To Hell" is less then a minute of chaos. An all out assault. Killer tune. "Pillow" has the most powerful intro yet ! This is ground-shaking. "Manic Depression" is a cover of a Hendrix tune. They nail it.

A must for fans of heavy, melodic Rock. Great pictures of the band in the liner notes as well.