Review / 200 Words Or Less
Feral King
Self Titled

Last Anthem (2012) Jon E.

Feral King – Self Titled cover artwork
Feral King – Self Titled — Last Anthem, 2012

Feral Kings' self-titled EP comes from a couple of guys that know how to do what they're doing and do it pretty damn well, and it is not necessarily anything new. If you're familiar with the band members’ previous efforts what they do on this record should come as little shock. Containing members of Spitfire and The Takeover (among others), the band plays a style of Deadguy-influenced noisecore without any pretense. 

Within the first few seconds any fan worth their salt will known what they're in for: screeching riffs and vocals coupled with pounding drums. While most of the well known bands currently running this style try extra hard to be artsy and self-obsessed, Feral King would rather not bother. It is all unfiltered rage in which the noise drenches the listener each step of the way to make the anger palpable. 

This EP lasts about 8 minutes, which is all the band needs to make an impression. If you miss Botch but not the bullshit posturing of newer bands with twice the cuteness and half their skill, you would do well for yourself to seek this out. These are experienced guys putting together something that is comfortably familiar without being comfortably stale.

7.5 / 10Jon E. • May 20, 2013

Feral King – Self Titled cover artwork
Feral King – Self Titled — Last Anthem, 2012

Related news

Feral King and Lonely Ghost Parade to release split

Posted in Records on December 14, 2012

Recently-posted album reviews

The Dwarves

Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows
GREEDY (2025)

Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows is a live studio recording from 1989, released on picture disc earlier this year on limited vinyl for Record Store Day. Given that it came shortly before the release of Blood, Guts & Pussy, it's no surprise that it's heavy on songs from that record (10 of 14, if I've counted correctly). It's more primal than … Read more

Osmium

Osmium
Invada (2025)

Osmium brings together four artistic heavyweights, united not just by a shared experimental ethos, but by a love of bespoke and often self-made instruments. On their debut record, Hildur Guðnadóttir harnesses the unstable feedback of the halldorophone, a cello-like instrument designed by Halldór Úlfarsson. James Ginzburg (emptyset) contributes tamboura-like drones using a monocord of his own design. Sam Slater operates … Read more

Lutheran Heat

Hi Again
Pinata Records (2025)

Lutheran Heat have one of my favorite band names, a distinctly Minnesota tongue-in-cheek nod to local culture and mannerisms. But while I dig the band name, that's not really relevant to the rest of this review. Hi Again is their first record in 9 years, but it continues their garagey indie-punk tones. Expect garage rock guitar tones, slacker indie rock … Read more