King Hitter are a new band based out of Raleigh, North Carolina comprised of ex-Corrosion of Conformity & Leadfoot vocalist Karl Agell, Leadfoot guitarist Scott Little, guitarist Mike Brown (Cutterhead), drummer Jon Chambliss and bassist Chuck Manning, both from S.L.A.M.. Their self-titled debut EP for Restricted Release/Plastic Head Music consists of 5 songs squarely in the stoner rock/metal category, and provides for many hard hitting and exciting moments. "Feel No Pain" is perhaps the most upbeat track here, a chugging rocker with heavy riffs and manic rhythms, with the twin guitar soloing reminding at times of the great Thin Lizzy. On the other end of the spectrum you have "Suicide (is the Retirement Plan)" a doom like dirge that combines both Black Sabbath and CoC elements, while "The End", "Drone Again", and "King Hitter" pack plenty of punch as well as groove. Agell's vocals are very strong throughout, and though at times I wish he would have injected a bit more bite or edge, he's clearly the star of the show here and his style fits the music quite well. Little and Brown have done a great job weaving some heavy, doom laden riffs as well as sweaty, Southern Rock licks, so if your tastes run the gamut of bands like Corrosion of Conformity, Down, and Crowbar, chances are King Hitter will have plenty to offer you.
Track Listing
01 King Hitter
02 Drone Again
03 Feel No Pain
04 Suicide (is the Retirement Plan)
05 The End