Source: Album Artwork
KXM are a supergroup consisting of Korn drummer Ray Luzier, Lynch Mob guitarist George Lynch and King’s X frontman Dug Pinnick and they formed in 2013, releasing their self-titled debut album shortly after. They have now returned with their much-anticipated second album Scatterbrain.
This new album combines the band’s established rock sound with elements of various genres including ska, prog and metal to produce a distinctive and dynamic sound. It’s clear that all three members of KXM are skilled at their craft, having honed their abilities over the years in their other bands, and this is apparent in the tight and technical performances throughout the album. The guitar work on this album is mostly commendable, with most songs delivering suitably heavy, punchy riffs, starting with the opening track ‘Scatterbrain’ and continuing throughout the album. Many of the songs also include lengthy instrumental sections, leaning on the band’s progressive influences, which give all three members a chance to show off their musical skills. Particular highlights include the prog-metal breakdown in ‘Obsession’ and the atmospheric, spacey guitar solo on the closing song ‘Angel’.
While the music on Scatterbrain is generally satisfying, Pinnick’s vocals may be difficult for some listeners to enjoy. Those who are familiar with his other work will probably get along fine, but others might find that his soulful, heavily gospel-inspired voice starts to grate after a while. This isn’t such an issue on the heavier, more guitar-led tracks, but on some songs, like the reggae-tinged ‘Not a Single Word’, there is more of an emphasis on the vocals, which can let those songs down. On top of this, KXM’s lyrics often leave a lot to be desired, which is especially noticeable on some of the more repetitive songs, such as ‘Big Sky Country’ and the aforementioned ‘Not a Single Word’.
Despite these issues, Scatterbrain is a musically solid album which fans of classic rock, metal and prog will likely enjoy, however it does start to drag a bit. At 13 tracks and over an hour in length, it could do with having a bit more variety or being cut down by a song or two. However it’s also clear that the members had fun making this album, and put a lot of heart and soul into it. For a side project by members of three active bands, two of whom are in their 60s, Scatterbrain is not a bad album, and definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of the artists involved.
