King Rebel – Riot in the Gutter – 2023

I don’t know much about King Rebel. More or less nothing really. I do believe that Riot in the Gutter is the debut EP though. I’m pretty sure they’re a Swedish band from the Gothenburg area but that’s about it. I guess this is not the first experience making an album, or an EP in this case. I think it’s a little too good for that. I think the guys in the band have been around for a while and kinda know what they’re after, what sound they want, and so on.

As I see it, there are two ways to listen to Riot in the Gutter. The first way is to listen very critically and locate all the little things that might make it a better production. The sound might be a little off, and not as professional sounding as some legendary bands out there. You might also argue that the singer doesn’t really enhance the music very much and so on. But there’s also another way to listen to it. You could listen for the easy melodies, the raw power, and the joy King Rebel seems to experience when they’re playing.

Obviously, a little bit of both worlds is best for the soul. I certainly think there are problems with the sound and the singer might need to step it up a notch or two. But the power of the music is certainly there! I like this! It was a long time since I heard such raw powerful heavy metal. Many band seems to make it a little bit too complicated for themselves but I don’t think that is the case here. Riot in the Gutter is certainly an EP well worth listening to, more than once!