KILLER KINGS – Burn for Love (2022) HQ
To be released by Frontiers Music, “Burn for Love” is the upcoming debut album from KILLER KINGS, a musical alliance between Gregory Lynn Hall (ex- 101 South) and Tristan Avakian (ex- Red Dawn). Two years ago Gregory Lynn Hall, the former singer of 101 South, an AOR band who released three albums between 2000 and 2009, joined forces with Tristan Avakian, a very gifted guitarist who made his name in the ’90s with the Melodic Hard Rock band Red Dawn, together.
Musically, Killer Kings mixes the AOR approach of both Red Dawn and 101 South with some interesting twists. Featuring as guests the likes of Tommy Denander and Joel Hoekstra, “Burn for Love” is a shining collection of melodic songs wrapped by a crisp production.
The good love gone bad story in the title track, ‘Burn For Love’ that opens the album spins out every cliché in the melodic rock book, without resorting to plagiarism or descending into parody. And in its expert appropriation of those moments we remember, it somehow becomes something new that rises above its origins.
The achingly sentimental ‘In A Different World’ and ‘Phoenix’ are instantly recognisable genre pieces, and in great melodic rock songs like ‘I Will Be Stronger’ and ‘Higher’ you will hear loud echoes of Whitesnake, Journey, John Waite, Foreigner and others too, no doubt.
All gloriously reminiscent of Melodic Rock’s most hypnotic moments that he passage of time has done nothing to diminish.
The magnificently apposite closer, ‘Ain’t No End In Sight’ is only a derivative musical reference or two away from tipping over into pastiche, but thanks to Avakian and Hall’s skill, it has the strength and grace to stand tall as it sails off into the AOR tinged sunset.
Killer Kings’ ”Burn For Love” is a significant debut album, thanks to some strong songwriting and terrific guitar work from Avakian, also the balanced production design.
Highly Recommended
01 – Burn for Love (feat. Tommy Denander)
02 – I Will Be Stronger (feat. Joel Hoekstra)
03 – Higher
04 – In a Different World
05 – Another Night, Another Fight
06 – Phoenix
07 – Two Ships
08 – Losing Me
09 – Do or Die
10 – The Pains of Yesterday
11 – Ain’t No End in Sight
Gregory Lynn Hall – Vocals
Tristan Avakian – Guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio – Bass, Keyboards
Nicholas Papapicco – Drums
Tommy Denander – Keyboards on ‘Burn For Love’
Joel Hoekstra – Guitar on “I Will Be Stronger”
Pre order:
www.amazon.com/Burn-Love-Killer-Kings/dp/B0B55TN5W1
