Kyng
(Supporting Megadeth)
Monday, November 26th, 2012
Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
LA based power face melting trio Kyng are one of my favorite success stories. I remember the first time I ever saw and met the guys in Kyng just like it was yesterday. Nearly two years ago, the band was out on the road for their first tour supporting roots rockers Black Stone Cherry. When that tour came to Atlanta, at the recommendation of a good friend I made it out early enough to catch these guys who would eventually steal the show and steal my little metal heart. Since then, Kyng has been relentlessly supporting their debut album Trampled Sun with such major acts as Trivium, In Flames, Seether, and even performed as a handpicked guest of James Hetfield’s at Metallica’s Orion Music Festival. I feel like I have literally watched this band grow up and as they took to the stage as the direct (and only) support act for Megadeth here in Atlanta, I had my chest sticking out just like a proud papa.
Wasting no time, lead singer/guitarist Eddie Veliz walked to the mic and announced, “We are Kyng from Los Angeles, California” and then slammed into a brand new song called, “Used as a Fool.” Hearing a brand new Kyng song after so long was a face melting moment for me. It was a really heavy, groove laden masterpiece that slid right into yet another new song called “Burn the Serum.” After being plagued with some vocal issues on the last tour, Veliz’s voice was in top notch shape and his voice sounded as bright and soulful as it ever has. The rest of the band’s 45 minute set consisted of songs from the debut album Trampled Sun but these songs were totally played with a new found energy and gusto that I had not seen from these guys before. I don’t know if it was just the excitement of playing with Megadeth or what but Kyng left everything that they had on that stage. Drummer Pepe Clarke even wowed me with his Bill Ward inspired drum solo leading into the song “Falling Down.” Clarke has such as natural flow to his playing and you can tell this dude knows his jazz as his arms just glided across those drums effortlessly as the crowd lost their shit and roared with approval. Kyng closed out their powerhouse set with their now signature closing song “Shorline” to a roaring crowd and bid them all goodnight.
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A Megadeth crowd is not an easy audience to play in front of but leave it to Kyng to walk out onto that stage and for 45 minutes totally own the place. As I surveyed the crowd during their set, I didn’t see one person with a look of disappointment on their face. I saw a lot of open mouths, a lot of nodding in approval, and a lot of hell being raised at the end of each song. With my chest out and my head and hands raised in the air, I cheered my boys on as they exited the stage to a sea of new Kyng fans. Kyng is a band that you can’t help but love. Their passion, their energy, and their charisma are contagious and once you see them live, you will be glad that you caught whatever it is that they’re giving you.
Kyng Setlist
Used as a Fool
Burn the Serum
Trails in Veins
I Don’t Believe
Pushing and Pulling
Bleed Easy
Falling Down
Shorline
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