You will hopefully have seen our coverage of the South Wales Quintet King Kraken. We’ve interviewed the band, reviewed their second album, March Of The Gods, released on 18 April 2025, and covered the band over the past few years as they have steadily built their following.
King Kraken – March Of The Gods Album Launch
Hangar 18, Swansea – 19 April 2025
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
2024 saw huge shows at Bloodstock, Station 18 Festival and Call Of The Wild, as well as stellar support slots. With the new album completed, we have enjoyed the four singles that have dropped since November 2024, all accompanied by excellent and captivating videos.
Combined, this is the evidence to confirm that King Kraken can mess with the big boys and come out the other side with a grin as wide as when they went in.
Tonight Is Judgement Day
The day after March Of The Gods is released, King Kraken have 300 infected fans keyed up with anticipation. The sold-out signs on social media prove what some of us have been saying. This is their year.
Inside the venue, which is not in the best of repair, it must be said the anticipation is building. Earlier in the evening, 20 VIP fans had watched the band’s soundcheck, where the Kraken sounded huge.
There is a sumptuous meat serving of beautiful beef brisket courtesy of Bournemouth’s Bendys Beast Feast. It is a timely intervention as singer Mark Donoghue, now svelte after a winter weight loss that sees him looking lean and fit, admits to me that he has forgotten to eat anything due to the nervous tension that is flowing.
The rest of the band are similarly wound. But they tuck in, mixing with their fans. These are people who have been with them since the start, who are friends rather than just fans, and who are all eager for the next chapter of King Kraken to start.
Downstairs, the band’s manager, Ceri ‘Grumpy Clown’ Davies and his lovely wife nip up for a quick bite before manning the front door once more. The eager ones are already queueing.
Molly Karloff – Tattoo Molly
Appetites sated, it is time to peruse and to watch the two excellent support bands, Molly Karloff and Tattoo Molly (all we are missing is Molly Sugden!) run through their paces.
We check the fine display of merchandise and get a drink down the neck before the hordes roar in at 7 pm. And in they flood, snapping up copies of the album alongside the signed drumskins, and the new range of tees and hoodies. Trading is brisk. And welcome. 
Along for the ride, Tattoo Molly and Molly Karloff are old friends of King Kraken. Two solid UK hard rock outfits, they do an admirable job of warming up the crowd. For me, Tattoo Molly edge it, with the main man behind Hellarock Festival (well worth a ticket!) James Pilling bringing some fine lead work.
It is a bittersweet show in some ways, as singer Sam Wise heads to pastures new after the show, whilst a new bassist eases himself into the band. Whoever follows the singer has big boots to fill, for the likeable vocalist has some pipes on him.
Molly Karloff certainly has some oomph. Both they and Tattoo Molly get deserved applause, and the venue is now crackling with electricity as the ever-swelling throng at the front of the stage strains in anticipation of their hero’s arrival. 
Clash Of The Titans
Suddenly, the lights drop, the countdown reel rolls, and Liam Neeson in the film Clash Of The Titans utters the words “unleash the Kraken.” The place goes ballistic.
If you wanted proof that King Kraken can bring it live, then the next 75 minutes is all the evidence you need. They roar through the new album, mixing it with choice cuts from debut MCLXXX.
It’s hot and sweaty, and there is little room to breathe, yet the room is spitting out the lyrics of opener Scream with passion. Not bad for a song that was released the day before.
Overhead, nets full of blue and gold balloon Kraken hang ominously, nestled as they are in bursting nets below one giant Kraken whose eight balloon legs stretch across the room. The baby kraken will be released during March Of The Gods, and the carnage that follows lasts for ages as the place erupts into a frenzy of balloons that fill the air.
Gold and blue may have replaced the green terrors, but the effect is still the same.
The new music sounds brilliant. The noise of Vigilante shows that Kraken can mix it with the Metal peers, whilst Hero cuts to the core. The band’s big ballad is a real in-the-feels song, with singer Mark Donoghue so emotional he must turn his back to the crowd to compose himself.
He is honest enough to tell me later that it was a true tear-in-the-eye moment. And who can blame him? This is what this band has worked so hard to achieve.
Word Perfect Audience
This is a room lit by camera phones, and the audience is word perfect. This is truly a beautiful and special snapshot in time.
Across the band, you can see the enormity sinking in. Rhythm guitarist Pete Rose is beaming, but occasionally you see him pause as he absorbs it all. Lead guitarist Adam Healey is screaming out the lead work, and whilst he is often in his own world, underneath that mane of hair, I think I saw him smile.
Meanwhile, the band’s engine room is locked in tighter than a tyre fitter’s wheel brace. Bassist Karl Meyers is becoming more mobile with each show, and he is no longer content to stand in front of drummer Richard Lee Mears. No, there is plenty of movement from Meyers, and for a man who has told me several times that live is where it’s at, then you can see him grasping every minute of it.
Mears is the band’s powerhouse engine, and although he delivers a perfect battery throughout, next to him on stage I can see him digging deep to channel those energy reserves. It is impressive, and with Donoghue’s vocals in superb form, the component parts are just perfect.
A Raucous Set
After a raucous set, it is a four-song encore that leads us to the grand finale. During Freak, Donaghue grabs a homemade spike and bursts the big Kraken. Cue enough tinsel to decorate Swansea at Christmas dropping onto the crowd who lap it up. The final blast of Castle Of Bones sees every ounce of energy expelled in massive style. 
It is a huge performance and one that bodes well for their UK tour, which kicks off at Bridgewater on 25 April. On this showing, nothing will stop this outfit.
King Kraken are sharp, slick, professional and hungry for everything they can get. Join us and pick up the band on tour at various shows. If you can see them, then get along to a show. It will not disappoint. 
Part One of the King Kraken Interview can be read here. You can read Part Two here. 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.
