King Zebra: Survivors

Having been impressed by some early EPs from King Zebra, it’s with great pleasure that I can tell you that with their debut full length release Survivors, this late 80s lovin’ outfit have not only maintained that early momentum but surpassed it. The album title itself is apt given that we were all told that this style of music was dead, buried and never to be resurrected, but on this evidence it still and always will inspire. Yes, King Zebra (which is almost as ridiculous a name as Cats In Space, but not quite), aren’t shy in showing their influences but with so much music these days frightened to offer up a bloody good time, why should we worry about that?

The opening trio of songs quickly sets this album’s stall out, “Under Construction� a quick-fire blast of Motley Crue guitar lines and a howl along chorus, before “She Don’t Like My RnR� and its brass stabs finds you “Living In A Movie� like Aerosmith did on Permanent Vacation - but here this framework is laced with a near ballad like sheen. Add in the White Lion meets Dokken like “Desperate� and already the standard is stupendously high - especially when it sounds just like Chris Holmes ex-of WASP must has Harleyed up to provide the guitar solo.

Where to go from here? Well, Eliminator ZZ Top would appear to be the answer on “Wall Of Confusion�, which sure sounds like it got you under pressure! Or maybe somewhere where there’s an Appetite For Destruction, the atrociously titled “Hot Cop Lady� reminding why GnR exploded on us in the first place. The guitar work here is glorious, while the vocals from ex-China man Eric St-Michaels are impressive throughout, although even he might be outshone when Thundermother singing force of nature Guernica Mancini shows up on the aforementioned “Wall Of Confusion�!

With “We’re The Survivors� slowing things down to get its point across and the rifftacular “We Are One� once again reminding of George Lynch at his finest - but with a big sleazy chorus dripping all over him - it’s left to the almost Billy Idol/Steve Stevens like “Be The Hunter� to utterly dismiss the notion that this style of music was ever throwaway nonsense. King Zebra are Survivors and anyone else still captivated by cracking riffs, catchy hooks, huge choruses and the ability to have a little fun, should join them.

Track Listing
1. Under Construction
2. She Don’t Like My R’n’R
3. Desperate
4. Wall of Confusion
5. On the Run
6. Rush
7. Hot Cop Lady
8. We’re the Survivors
9. We are One
10. Be the Hunter

Added: October 9th 2021
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: King Zebra on facebook
Hits: 783
Language: english

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