Reviewed by Ian Webber

Boasting a proven track record from their time with Before There Was Rosalyn, Carlos Salazar and Trent Gibson have teamed up to form the backbone of this hardcore outfit from Houston, Texas. This debut EP is a no-nonsense assault on the ears, very much in the style of The Chariot. Anarchic guitars thrash wildly over some tight riffing. The contrast between the compressed, metronomic rhythm and abandoned leads sets up a platform for Trent's visceral vocals throughout the five short tracks. There is little relief from the solid wall of noise as Kings & Daughters launch from a frantic opening to a breakdown-laden "The Pharaoh: A False Idol". Ex-Close Your Eyes vocalist Shane Raymond, features on the most textured track, "The Salient: A Ravaging Beast," underlining the pedigree of this band. It is however not until the final track that a hint of a clean vocal makes an appearance, in the chorus of "Of Judah: A Man Alive" to add a welcome haunting edge to the best track on the CD. 'The Lion' does not pretend to be an innovative reinterpretation of the hardcore genre, but it does showcase some talented musicians who know how to turn out quality music that is set to make loud music fans' ears bleed. That, and the fact that it is available on free download, makes this definitely worth seeking out.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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