KINGBATHMAT

"Ghost In The Fire" has a spacey intro and I love the keys that echo as vocal melodies then vocals arrive. It kicks into a fuller sound before 1 1/2 minutes on the chorus as the contrasts continue. "Fantastic Freak Show Carnival" hits the ground running but then it settles back but the power is still there. This is the best part of the song in my opinion. Vocals before a minute as the song settles in. Some nice guitar and drum work on this one. It settles right down at 2 1/2 minutes then we get some killer guitar before the vocals return. "Rejected" has reserved vocals and a laid back sound, harmonies too. It kicks in hard sounding really good. Back to the original sound as themes are repeated. Catchy stuff.

"King's Ransom" reminds me of early PORCUPINE TREE and THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS when it begins. A catchy, driving tune with an addictive drum/ bass rhythm section. The vocals are belted out with confidence, harmonies too. "Hornet's Nest" has some nice upfront bass and high pitched guitar expressions that build. Such a cool sound. Okay the next six songs are pure bliss. "Sweet Iris" is a sentimental, hazy sounding piece that takes me to dreamland. Man I dig this song, very moving. Talk about moving check out "Simpleton Know It All", man this song speaks to me. Yeah I'm simple but if you met me you'd want to be my friend(possibly, haha). Again this is so freaking good, I'm in Heaven.

"Illuminous Pups" is an instrumental with liquid keys and a spacey atmosphere, very illuminous I'd say. Kind of an early PORCUPINE TREE vibe here(gulp). It turns heavy 2 minutes in and I love the guitar. "Wonderful Life" opens with bass, guitar and drums as the vocals join in. I like this. The vocals become more passionate and check out the soaring guitar 1 1/2 minutes in. Man! Themes are repeated. "They ask you to give your all when your well has run dry" is a good line considering the song's title. That guitar moves me so much as it returns 3 minutes in. Some cool vocal arrangements before 4 minutes then that guitar returns. Nice!

"Interval" has vocal harmonies to start and I like the way the instruments join in and build as the harmonies continue. This is all so good! "Soul Searching Song" ends it and it's 11 1/2 minutes long. I like how the drums and bass join the vocals and the guitar too just before a minute as he sings the song's title over and over. They're kicking ass after 1 1/2 minutes before it settles but these contrasts will continue. It turns spacey after this then we get vocals before 7 1/2 minutes in this laid back section. The guitar and vocals soar before 8 minutes then it calms right down until all we hear is someone changing the radio stations.

Man if I were more into the first five songs I'd be hitting the five star button but as it is I highly recommend this album.

The album starts really strong with the combo Sentinel and Parasomnia, two top-notch songs with splendid instrumental passages. Both shows the force of the group to create longer songs that stays interesting without being over complex, blending smoother and heavier passages. There's enough variation and complexity to keep the listener attention but the result always stays harmonious.

The following song, Overcoming the Monster, is the weakest point of the album to me. It uses the same ingredients but the end result is not as successful. It feels patchy, especially some of the vocal segments. Happily the last three songs are all excellent, although none can rival with the first two, except the last one. If the tracks Superfluous and Kubrick Moon blend again the same elements in different manners, the shorter and mellower Reality Mining is free of heavier moments. All in all this is a first-rate album from kingbathmat. These guys definitely deserve to be more widely acclaimed.

Edit: many months have passed and I'm now sure this album deserves no less than 5 stars. One of the very best of 2013!

Here we have music that at times is heavily dosed in psychedelia, then at others it is Muse at full blast, then it is space rock, then art, then it is all mixed up so that I have no way at all of working out what to say, but smiling while I'm typing it. If you want keyboards mixed with harmony vocals and lots of clapping then this is the album for you, at least on "Reality Mining". It is progressive in the truest sense of the word, bringing in multiple styles and types of music then mixing them all together in a way that is different and exciting, vibrant and fresh, without ever losing sight of their musical roots.

"Kubrick Moon" has some wonderful guitar (and is that a theremin I hear in the background?) that is delicate and spacey, full of emotion and restraint that also contains a naivety that is quite late 70's indie alternative in many ways, while also containing some Twelfth Night moves to boot! That is one of the joys of this album for me, in that it refuses to conform to any particular genre or sub genre, and instead the band take great delight in just doing whatever they like and if it is enjoyed by others then that is fine, and if no-one gets it then that is fine as well.

This won't be to everyone's tastes, and certainly not to those who say that they enjoy 'progressive' music when they mean 'regressive', but to these ears this is easily the most ambitious album of theirs that I have heard to date, and is well worth discovering. www.kingbathmat.com

But KingBathmat is not a new band, in fact, the just released Overcoming The Monster (2013) is their 7th album. The band was kind enough to send me, once again, a promo copy of the album, a month before the release date. I don't like to post reviews before you can actually buy an album, so I decided to wait for the release. Once again KingBathmat join forces with StereoHead Records and Overcoming The Monster (2013) follows its predecessor, Truth Button (2012), in terms of sound. KingBathmat is still unclassifiable. Which means that their mix of Progressive Rock and Alternative Rock is still the main force, but you can feel many things happening on the tracks.

Overcoming The Monster (2013) is also a conceptual album. It deals with a psychological theme. The 'monsters' that we create in our heads and sometimes we have to overcome them to follow with our life. Like its predecessor it also has 6 tracks in 51 minutes of music, which means that with the exception of one track all of them are between 7 and 12 minutes.

When you press play and you start to listen to their first single, 'Sentinel', you can feel the power in the band's sound. Also, you can see that David Georgiou (keyboards) is more present. 'Parasomnia' is the second track and starts as a horror/thriller soundtrack, as if it was an opening song for a movie. It has a great bass line by Rob Watts and once again good keyboards. I think that Bernie Smirnoff drums was a bit faded in the first track, here he's more present. A powerful track.

The title-track shows us that keyboards and guitars are more into tune know. And that John Bassett is still the driven-force in the band. But this time he assumes the guitars, completely and they're a great deal in the band's music, but here with more melodies too. Once again, the bass makes itself present with clever lines. 'Superflous' is very heavy as soon as it starts. It becomes a bit more melodic and Prog with lots of synths. I do think that the drums are a bit on the fake side on this track tough.

'Reality Mining' is the shortest on the album and a weird piece of music, but in a good way. At the same time it is the most 'Pop' on the album, in a Beatles way. The longest track, 'Kubrick Moon' closes the album. Atmospheric is the right word to describe it. Towards the middle the song gets a punch of energy and goes in a full power section, great by the way.

Just like its predecessor, Overcoming The Monster (2013) is a very good example that Progressive Rock mixed with more 'modern' approaches can be made. Sometimes bands end up copying themselves when it comes to this 'modern prog' and all of them sound the same. When it comes to KingBathmat, they're quite unique in what they do. And you have to respect them for that! Highly recommended.

(Originally posted on progshine.net)

"Never judge a book by its cover" goes the old proverb. This is especially true for this album. While the cover artwork is terrible, the music therein is actually quite good. KingBathmat's seventh album "Overcoming the Monster" is a psychedelic journey that discusses the psychological obstacles that we, others, or the media place in our heads. It explores the idea of ridding ourselves of these walls, and living to our full potential. I think this concept is great, and should especially apply to this music. This music takes some growing, and it takes an open mind.

KingBathmat's style is an eclectic mix of prog rock, psychedelia, alternative music, grunge, and maybe a little post-rock. It is well-mixed, so it does not feel disjointed at all. So, they comfortably mix bludgeoning guitar riffs with proggy, psychedelic keys. The bassist does a great job of bringing the funk, as there are some very unique bass lines and even a few bass solos. The drummer performs admirably, and the vocalist seems to be able to change his tone to fit the atmosphere well. All of this creates a sort of tongue-in-cheek humor that surrounds the music, though the theme is serious.

Their last album, "The Truth Button" felt a little off to me, but the new album features much stronger song writing. The songs are almost catchy at times, and they seem to be dabbling in more epic song structures, too. The word of the day for this album is "variety". That's what this album has. For instance, "Sentinel" is a great rocking piece, while "Parasomnia" is a moody piece with epic keys and dreary atmospheres. Again, "Superfluous" is a well- structured, melodic rock track, while "Kubrick Moon" is a 10+ minute epic piece with some outstanding keys and guitar passages. This band can play very well, and they show it will some open display of their noodling finesse.

While this album is very strong, I would point out the uneven nature of the album. It starts out with two very strong tracks, and then it takes a nosedive with "Overcoming the Monster". Yes, the title track is a weak one. Next, it soars with "Superfluous", and then takes the biggest dive with "Reality Mining", a track that is very disjointed and experimental to a fault. Yet, then they recover with the stunning "Kubrick Moon".

Overall, the album is the strongest I've heard from them; and, while it contains some unevenness, it deserves every proghead's attention. It really brings a grungy Pink Floyd vibe to the table, and that appeals to me. So, ignore the artwork, and give this album a go.

It is a timeless album, almost as much at home in the late Sixties as it is in the current day, refusing to sit in just one space but instead bringing together a cornucopia of sounds and ideas in a way that is somehow always accessible, and never hard work. True, it can go from keyboard led to fuzzed guitar and bass at a drop of a hat as they move happily from one genre and style to another within the same song, but it always maintains a sincerity and conviction that carries it through. Whereas some albums tend to drift, this has a focus and intensity that means that the listener feels compelled to keep coming back to it time and again.

The one annoyance I have with this album is that between the last one I heard and this one is that there have been two others, and thanks to this I now need to go back and see what they are like as well. If you have never come across these guys then you owe it to yourself to go and do so now. And if you ever wondered what Black Sabbath would sound like if they were crossed with 10CC then play "Book Of Faces" and wonder no more. www.kingbathmat.com

KingBathmat is an English band and Truth Button (2012) is their 6th album. And it seems that the Alternative Rock really plays an important role in today's Prog music, cause we see it more and more in 00's groups. The band recorded the album with a quartet this time: John Bassett (vocals and bass), Lee Sulsh (guitars), Bernie Smirnoff (drums) and David Georgiou (keyboards).

Initially released in June of 2012 independently by the band, Truth Button (2012) was re-released later in January 2013 by StereoHead Records and it is a 'weird' collection of 6 tracks in almost 50 minutes. Why weird? Because the band achieved a fusion of different styles inside Progressive Rock like Alternative Rock, Psychedelia, Experimental Rock and even? Grunge!?!

Truth Button (2012) is also a concept album, it deals with an underlying theme of technophobia and social disconnection due to the ever-growing trivial use of modern technology of our times.

The opening track 'Behind The Wall' has all the guitars from the 90's Alternative Rock but mixed with melodic passages while the second one 'Abintra' is very heavy with a doom feeling and very weird vocals. While the two first tracks were a bit more on the heavy side, 'Book Of Faces' is more Prog in the common sense, at least in the first minutes. Then it becomes a healthy mess.

In the 'second part' of the album we have 'The End Of Evolution' with a few 'modern' touches and for me a low point on the album. 'Dives And Pauper' return with the KingBathmat sound and the epic titled 'Coming To Terms With Mortality In The Face Of Insurmountable Odds' closes the album in high style.

KingBathmat is not so easy to digest and at the same time catchy and full of good melodies. It takes some time to get used to John Bassett vocals too, but as soon as you do Truth Button (2012) comes very natural to the ears. Sometimes the tracks may seem a bit too long but it changes with a few listens. The band proves that it is possible nowadays to be experimental and drink heavy doses of Progressive Rock but at the same time have Heavy Guitars, a tight Rock n' Roll sound borrowed from the 90's and lots of singable melodies.

Truth Button (2012) is a proof that experience acquired after 6 albums and 10 years of playing and not being afraid of trying new approaches can give you big and beautiful fruits on your tree. In KingBathmat case this fruit is Truth Button (2012).

I have a confession to make that will lower my credentials even more than they already are. I really don't like Radiohead very much post-Bends. Are they good, sure, are they important, fine. But I'll do almost anything to keep from playing their discs. Need your lawn mowed? I'm there. Anyway, when I'm looking for a great indie alternative rock band in the Radiohead/crossover realm, but actually want to have some fun at the same time with musicians who don't come off as self-important, I can reach for Kingbathmat's "Fantastic Freak Show Carnival." Released in 2005 the album sports an alternative rock/melodic pop backbone with hints of psychedelia, experimentation, and imagination. Think of a cross between "The Who Sells Out" and a John Frusciante album and you might have an idea what the Freak Show feels like.

Given that this is a one-man album it is very impressive how Bassett manages such a full and rich sound, sounding more like a full band with dual guitars. Punchy melodic pop and harder rock numbers occasionally escalate into longer jams, but for the most part the songwriting is succinct with great instincts. The secret weapon is Bassett's amazing self-harmonizing on his vocals...he has a voice very much like Frusciante but is capable of doubling over himself to create lush and lovely vocal presentations. "Sweet Iris" was my favorite for this reason, just glorious hazy psych-pop, mostly vocal, with light guitar for color. Mixed with his whimsical and perhaps slightly Syd Barrett nods, along with superb and tasteful guitar leads, the result is a very satisfying modern rock album. The final track finds him stretching out to 12 minutes and getting wilder, almost Kingston Wall territory. This excellent under-the-radar release eluded me for too long. Check it out, along with his new album "Truth Button."

Their sixth studio release is Truth Button and it sounds like another fantastic combination of rock, prog and psychedelic treats. This being the third release I have covered, I anticipated yet another rockin' adventure of sorts. I was not disappointed.

Based on what I have heard since 2005, Truth Button has more guitar heavy moments than any release yet thanks to Lee Sulsh. It is a very welcome sound for these ears. The band's ability to mix the harder and softer aspects together in one song is what will win you over. The switching back and forth and sudden time changes are what define it as a progressive work of art. For instance, the opening track 'Behind the Wall,' comes out rocking hard and was a good choice to set the overall energy and tone of the album. 'Book of Faces' is a prime example of the switching up from heavy and dark segments over to more airy light parts that change the entire direction of the track. This is the most intriguing aspect of KingBathmat. 'The End of Evolution' is more of what I have come to expect from this band, with my own familiarity of the music already locked in, it clicked in instantly. This is the KingBathmat sound that got me interested right from the start. The rocking melodic guitars, driving layered keyboards and a locomotive bottom end are what come together seamlessly to create their own special sound. The keys in particular add a lot of flavor to the tracks, with sounds varying from sounding like early Yes to equal parts menacing Phantom of the Opera organ flourishes. It's all quite interesting and fits each section of every track like it is supposed to be there.

As the album played on I found it increasingly difficult to choose what was the defining moment or what the magnum opus of the collection was. Every track is quality and prog rock at its finest. John Bassett is still the driving force and 'voice' of the band and it his vocalizations that put a unique stamp on the KingBathmat sound.

'Dives And Pauper' certainly has its moments as well, rock goes into hyper drive on this one, and they never take their foot off the gas. This band could be anything they want to be with all the talent at their disposal and the variety of sound they can offer up in one track is very impressive.

With 6 tracks (4 bonus tracks on the digital release that I did not have the pleasure to hear) of prog complexities coming at you there is a lot to ingest and appreciate if you happen to be a discerning listener that likes something different at every turn. I think you are bound to find what you desire with Truth Button, just push start. This is an excellent album with true talent showcased in every song. A can't miss prog rock classic perhaps? In my estimation'yes.

Key Tracks: Behind The Wall, Book of Faces, Dives And Pauper