Hugely anticipated in many quarters, March Of The Gods, the follow-up to the King Kraken 2023 debut release, MCLXXX, may well propel the South Wales band to the next level in 2025. An album stuffed full of heavy riffs, this is a step up from MCLXXX in many ways, although it is the improvement in songwriting that stands out most.
King Kraken – March Of The Gods
Release Date: 18 April 2025
Words: Paul Hutchings
Aided by another solid production thanks to Romesh Dodangoda at Long Wave Studios in Cardiff, the sound of March Of The Gods is huge. This really is a behemoth of a band slowly easing into top gear, although one feels that there are still a few more cogs to work through before they hit the peak.Â
Ten tracks that come in at just under 40 minutes make this a perfectly balanced album. No long songs here, oh no. This is in-your-face hard rock at its best, as the band tread the line between Metal and rock with ease.
Throw in the groove of Clutch and Pantera, elements of Sabbath and Black Label Society and you have probably got it. What’s not to like?
Now, King Kraken have embarked on a lengthy lead in, in preparation for the arrival of the album, and by the time you hear the full version of March Of The Gods, you will be familiar with almost half of it.
Chainsaw Saviour was released in November 2024, five months ahead of release day, and one may wonder if that has truly worked in their favour.
For this is a band who gig as hard as they practically can, and despite some massive personal challenges in 2024, at least four of the tracks on March Of The Gods are already firm fan favourites in the live setting. Such is the difficulty that bands face today on maintaining that public interest over a long period.
The album is well balanced, split into two sides very much in old school vinyl style which is a welcome approach. Opener Scream is one of those which has been present in the live setting for some time, although it’s not one of the early singles. A vibrant chugging riff and singalong chorus make it a solid start to the album.
It’s similar in delivery to Devil’s Night, the first song on MCLXXX, a bruiser of a song but not the most abusive to the ears. That is saved for later, although the concluding minute does at least erupt with singer Mark Donoghue roaring his lyrics in trademark aggressive manner.
El Giganto follows. A story about a giant, no less, it has the filthy groove that is going to get everyone nodding along. In recent times it has crept into the setlist, and at their Christmas party in Swansea it provided a ferocious finale, much to the delight of all present.
We move to the Halls of Valhalla for Beserker, released in early January. An anthemic ode to Viking legends who fought in a trance of fury and invincibility to pain, this is another earworm that wraps around you from its smouldering introduction and Adam Healey’s pinched guitar work to the haunting pre-chorus that echoes through eternity.
Healey’s lead work is phenomenal throughout. A bluesy swagger that cuts deep with emotion and organic flow, it is a welcome contrast to the thunderous drums of Richard Lee Mears and Karl Meyer’s powerful bass.
For me, the title track takes some beating. March Of The Gods is Kraken in full flow, albeit it does hang very much in the Pantera region. But get involved, and I defy you not to be banging that head after the first play. It’s more infectious than Covid in a nursing home.
It is always great to have a couple of surprises, and one arrives in the shape of Hero. The third single from the album, you will be familiar with the video by now. But what we get here is some emotional lyrics that peel away a couple of layers of the Kraken armour, as well as some of Healey’s most beautiful fretwork in a semi-ballad that allows a little stretching from the more direct musical approach of the band. It is a fine ending to the first side, and the promise of more is enticing.
Launching into side two brings us Vigilante. Sadly, but perhaps thankfully, it is not a cover of the Magnum classic. This is another solid song with a cracking riff that shows King Kraken are skilled at bringing the heavy. Some nice touches elevate it to one of the standout songs.
There is another memorable riff that opens Preacher. The melody is carved out neatly, while Donoghue’s vocals are as good as anywhere else on this release. There are some decent harmonies on the chorus, all delivered by the frontman, I understand). Although the pace is initially a little slower than other songs, it still crunches the cranium with the power, especially when it picks up dramatically in the second half, with Healey laying down some more blistering lead work.
Three to go, and it is Magnum Opus that fires up next. This is one of the hidden gems on the album. Tucked away towards the end, it is nevertheless another powerful beast with the automotive theme. Although it does not do anything particularly fancy, it does maintain momentum. Solid rhythm and fine lead work make it a fine addition.
That leaves us with the first single, Chainsaw Saviour, which probably does not need any introduction and the final flourish of Under The Sun.
The former is going to stick in the head as soon as that swirling guitar work kicks in. The latter is a more composed and reflective Kraken, and perhaps surprisingly, it has its roots in the early days of the band. You might not know it, but it dates to the first compositions the band wrote. It holds its head high here, not looking at all out of place and provides a fine finale to the album.
King Kraken – Powerfully Close
March Of The Gods is not quite the finished article. I think that will arrive with album three. But it is massive progress in the right direction, with superb performances from all band members. Mears’s drumming is spot on, Healey’s lead work naturally takes the attention, whilst Donaghue’s vocals are excellent once again.
With Meyers and guitarist Pete Rose also in fine form, March Of The Gods is an album of which the band should be rightly proud. It is anticipated enough to feature in Top 50 Most Eagerly Awaited Albums of 2025 lists (regardless that there is some right rubbish in that list, in my humble opinion!).
With a good smattering of dates across the UK, a gargantuan appearance at Stonedead Festival in August and the addition to the Bloodstock Winter Gathering in December to come, King Kraken should be able to push hard at the next level.
Combined with such appetising shows and an album that gets better on every listen, this is going to be hard-pushed not to feature in those top albums of the year lists come December.
King Kraken will self-release March Of The God on 18 April 2025. The album can be pre-saved from here and pre-ordered from here.
