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

Elway

Nobody’s Going To Heaven
Red Scare (2025)

There’s a specific kind of punk record that doesn’t try to inspire you, doesn’t bother offering solutions, and doesn’t pretend things are going to work out in the end. Nobody’s Going To Heaven is firmly planted in that tradition. Elway returns sounding less interested in rallying cries and more invested in documenting collapse as it happens. They cover every collapse … Read more

Heather The Jerk

Very Motorcycle EP
Goodbye Boozy (2025)

Heather The Jerk is a project from Madison, WI musician Heather Sawyer -- a scrappy punk band with garage and pop influences running rampant through the peppy, raw sound. This 4-song EP is called Very Motorcycle, released about a year after the Not Very Motorcycle tape. I have no idea what the phrase means, yet it sets a distinct mood. … Read more

Toys That Kill

Triple Sabotage
Recess (2026)

If you were lucky enough to catch Toys That Kill live last year, you were maybe treated to a set that included classic F.Y.P bangers like “Come Home Smelly” and “Jerkoff”. I made the trip down to Seattle to see them with Off With Their Heads specifically for this reason and was in no way disappointed. I had somehow managed … Read more