Hopefully by now, you are aware of the band called KXM which includes drummer Ray Luzier (Korn), bassist/vocalist dUg Pinnick (King’s X), and guitarist George Lynch (Lynch Mob). The three magicians are back for another mindbending round of hard-hitting rock music with their new release called Circle Of Dolls on Rat Pak Records.
Circle Of Dolls follows the same evolutionary path as their self-titled debut and Scatterbrain. Eschewing pre-production, the band gathers in the studio over the course of two weeks. They then set about to write a song per day. The end result is a diverse and captivating collection of music.
I’m floored when I listen to Circle of Dolls realizing that each song is written in a single session. It reveals not only each musician’s superb talent, but it also showcases the vibrant and creative relationship that they enjoy. Listening to each song, you get a glimpse of the artistic playground within KXM.
KXM kicks Circle Of Dolls into high gear with the bruising “War of Words”. Ray Luzier and George Lynch set this off with an alluring drum pattern teasing a guitar as it is yowling and pinging. The dampened sound effect with the intro gives you the feeling that you are outside the studio door as the instruments play. The door opens and the full rock treatment hits you in the face. It is high paced and fun.
You get a sense for the introspection and grit of this album on the song “Mind Swamp”. A foggy intro of guitars chimes, throbbing bass, snare pops and stick rolls lulls you. The urgency escalates into a culmination of snapping and snarling guitar to form the main riff. You can imagine the feeling of stomping through the twisting thoughts within your mind.
My favorite track on Circle Of Dolls is “Shadow Lover”. This off-kilter tune sounds like a spy novel. You can feel the rain in a dark alley. dUg’s hushed and reverb-laden vocals add to the air of mystery. The cascading drums provide that sense of restless searching. Once again, I’m amazed at how these three musicians paint these intriguing pictures in such a short period of time.
Circle Of Dolls by KXM is a hard-rocking multifaceted gem of an album. The band continues to deliver a variety of delicious sonic tastes to tempt your palate. The overall approach remains heavy, yet there is a sense of brooding introspection. Don’t be afraid of the dark. Instead, revel in it. This is your chance to get inside the minds of some of rock’s finest musicians and explore.