KINGS OF MODESTY - review added 29th September 2009
Album Review: Hell Or Highwater (2009)
For fans of: Prog Metal... and musicians with no need for modesty
Kings of Modesty was formed in 1994 by guitarist Samuel Hjelt (Ancara) and drummer Raino Simoinen, originally under the name Faces Of Modesty. With friend Henrik Tuura added on bass and Samuel’s older brother Mikael on keyboards, it was only in 2005 that present vocalist Jason Flinck (Brother Firetribe) joined. After 15 years, Hell Or HIghwater is surprisingly the band's first full studio release.
First thing you notice is how characterful Jason Flinck's voice is. He may 'only' be the bassist and backing vocalist in (the brilliant) Brother Firetribe but he's a real talent out front too. His tone is powerful and mellow at once, and he has a cartload of a emotion bubbling beneath the surface. Closest comparison would be Tobias Sammet (Edguy) wearing comfy slippers and drinking a glass of fine brandy.
Kings of Modesty remind me of a heavier version of the latest Saga line-up, demonstrated in their 2009 album The Human Condition. The sound is accessibly proggy and varying in heaviness from light rock to nut-crunching metal. The result sounds superb and has a wonderful clarity and atmosphere. It works best as a whole rather than individual tracks, although entries like 'Never Touched The Rainbow' and 'Once Upon A Time' stand out from the crowd.
The only criticisms I'd have of the album are that it drags it's heels on occasions and wallows in the same sound for extended periods rather than moving onto pastures new, and that monster choruses are sparse. Still, it's a small moan as, overall, Hell Or HIghwater is a breath of fresh air. From the people involved I was expecting a good (but obvious) melodious power metal album with nothing I haven't heard before. This is so much more than that.
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
1. Never Touched The Rainbow
2. Hourglass
3. Deep Down
4. Staring Eyes
5. Hell Or Highwater
6. Suicidal Mission
7. Once Upon A Time
8. Tailspin
9. Miracle
10. We Will March Our Way
11. Two Hearts Collide.
Label: Escape Music
Artist's website(s): Kings Of Modesty , MySpace
