If you like proper hard rock with a metallic edge, California trio Kyng might be just the band for you. Their third album, Breath in the Water (Razor & Tie), is a heavy but well-polished affair that will leave the fans of Alter Bridge, Godsized, or even Ape Machine more than satisfied. It’s not much of a stretch to say it’s better than the new AB album.

Kyng deliver a barrage of crunchy riffs and an infectious sense of groove combined with soaring melodies thanks to Eddie Veliz impressive vocals. It’s hard to pick fault with anything in the first half of the album. The likes of the title track, ‘Follow Blindly’, and the impressive power of ‘The Dead’ all boast thick riffs, big choruses, bags of energy, and frontman who clearly has bags of talent.

If you didn’t know better, it would easily mistake the massive ‘Closer to the End’ as being a lost Alter Bridge classic, so close it Veliz’s performance to Myles Kennedy. Not to say Kyng are a carbon copy; these guys aren’t afraid to engage in some proper shredding, but know how to craft a stadium-sized chorus. ‘Show Me Your Love’ shows off a slower, more ballad-like side to the band, and even shows off some twin-lead guitar solos.

It’s not quite a flawless album, however. At 14 tracks and more than 50 minutes, there’s some material that definitely feels like filler. The overly southern rock-influenced ‘Song for a Broken Mask’ doesn’t sit well with the head-on power of the first half, while ‘Not Enough’ feels overly saccharine compared to how hard-hitting earlier tracks are.

A mightily satisfying album that tails off a little towards the end, Breath in the Water is highly impressive for a band who clearly deserve more recognition than they’ve been getting.

7.5/10

DAN SWINHOE