For those of you who know what Kingdom of Sorrow are composed of you can pretty much predict the sound of this debut. But for those of you who don’t know who goes into making this hardcore/sludgecore band, allow me to enlighten you.
Kingdom of Sorrow is the side project of Kirk Windstein of Down and Crowbar fame and Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. Seen as I’m writing this review for people who have an interest in heavy music I won’t bother explaining which members contribute which genres to the album.

Its hard to look at this album as a standalone record, it doesn’t sound like Jasta or Windstein are trying to make people forget their other bands and accept Kingdom… as a completely separate piece of music. There are two equations that can sum up each of the songs in the album: Hatebreed+Crowbar=KoS or Down+Hatebreed=KoS. The opening track (Hear this prayer for her) from the start sounds like it could be a Hatebreed track, but after a minute or two the song slows down as opposed to breaks down, Windstein’s gravel gargling vocals then appear. Most of the tracks start off in a similar fashion or at least switch which style opens. While vocals are shared between the two front men it is predominately Jasta behind the mic, which does allow Jasta to sing some of more sentimental lyrics in a sentimental tone, a welcome change.

This album hasn’t created a new genre or changed the way the world thinks about music, but none the less it is a fine album. Needless to say most people who will buy and enjoy this album will also be fans of Hatebreed, Down and Crowbar. Some of the stand out tracks being: Demon Eyes (Demonized), Grieve a Lifetime and Buried in Black.

My only major gripe with this album is the combined style of music. It’s nice to hear two well respected artists combining their fields of music on the hope of creating some kind of hardcore/sludge hybrid. But you can’t help but think that some of the tracks are just watered down hardcore with some sludgecore lingering in the air. As I said before, Hatebreed and Crowbar fans will buy this album, in the hope of hearing their beloved idols in a new light, but alas the new light is more of a predictable shadow.

Heavy riffs, thundering drums and shared vocals will keep the average listener entertained, but I fear that those who really appreciate this kind of music and read into it a lot will feel slightly cheated at this listenable but rather half-baked attempt at a joint side project. We know Jasta and Windstein are capable of great things, so I think a second album is in order so that they can show they can create something slightly more original.