Gig Review: KYNG At Gramercy Theatre

Los Angeles Heavy Rock band KYNG joined HELLYEAH on their U.S. tour July 23, 2017 in support of their latest full length release Breathe In The Water. With Iron Maiden and Slayer in New York City in the same week, Kyng managed a brutal turn out Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Gramercy Theatre as direct support for HELLYEAH. Kyng made their debut in 2011 with their first full length studio album Trampled Sun and with Burn The Serum following in 2014, Kyng have been trailblazing ever since. The band achieved milestones when they performed at the Orion Music + More Festival organized by Metallica, and having the opportunity to tour with Heavy Metal giants Megadeth, Trivium, and Black Label Society to name a few. 

With limited time given to the openers that night, Kyng pulled out all the stops during their set. As a three piece, Kyng cover all the bases when fusing Hard Rock, Grunge and Heavy Metal elements in their music. Kyng opened their set under the darkness of the stage with only a dim blue light behind them. Songs like "Breathe in the Water" and "Pristine Warning" can be described as heavy blues, genuine classic rock with a modern twist. "Pristine Warning" grabs your ear in the first thirty seconds of the song with tasteful switch up from fast hard hitting drums to pulling it back slightly as the song transitions into the chorus. Kyng are recognizable the moment drummer Pepe Clarke hits the first open handed note during "Falling Down". Influences of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden in Eddie Veliz's vocals, as well as the band's music arrangements are strongly noticeable. Catchy melodies, rapid bass plucking by bassist Tony Castaneda and hard thundering drum fills kept the crowd gravitating to the front of the stage and focused on their set that evening. Kyng continuously aspire to provide their fans with a genuine approach to Hard Rock in a time when Rock and Heavy Metal tend to be saturated with artificial tones and backing tracks. 

Kyng return stoner and classic rock to many in the scene who have awaited a strong band to bring it back tastefully and successfully. The crowd in Gramercy Theatre that night grew significantly during the broodingly heavy, album titled track "Breathe In The Water". The new album has brought the band a long way from their first release, and smoothly fits them on major heavy metal and hard rock tours and music festivals nationwide. Fans interested in purchasing Breathe In The Water can do so here! Check out upcoming Kyng tour dates below.