Album review by Lucas Bell
Off the back of their 2022 career best record, The Hell We Create, there was a lot of hype as to what Texas metalcore legends Fit for a King would do next. Just under three years later, we have now found out, with the release of their highly anticipated follow up, Lonely God, dropping on August 1st. The record boasts ALL the sonic hallmarks Fit for a King fans have come to know and love. Gnarly riffs, guttural growls, deep grooves, and a slightly industrial crunch that takes things to the next level, every single time.
Fit For A King harnesses the power of their brotherhood in order to push forward. The music contains traces of the members’ personal and collective experiences grafted onto an ever-evolving sonic palette of metalcore unpredictability, alternative melody, and deathcore brutality laced with electronic alchemy. As trends came and went in the background of the last decade, the quintet has weathered trials and tribulations as well as enduring the chaos of a world constantly influx. However, their bond stretches back to 2011 when Fit For A King unleashed their independent debut Descendants. They continually progressed with Creation/Destruction (2013), Slave to Nothing (2014), Deathgrip (2016), and The Path (2020).
Song Breakdowns
Begin The Sacrifice – The record opens with a track that I didn’t particularly expect from these lads. The intro features a lot of electronic elements, with the guitars, almost muted at times underneath. It’s a pretty good track too. Quiet verses and loud chorus are some of my favorite types of songs.
The Temple – This track brings the signature metalcore vibe to the record. Chorus is huge and overall, a very fun track.
Extinction – At times when I listen to a new album for the first time, I try to imagine where in the set I can see certain songs on a live show. This, should be the opener to the encore. The intro to this, with the big violent gutterals, absolutely perfect.
No Tomorrow – This was released as a single a while back, and I think this is the song I’ve come back to the most. It’s reminiscent of ‘When Everything Means Nothing’, from 2018’s Dark Skies. I get the same emotional vibes when I listen to ‘No Tomorrow’, as when I hear ‘When Everything Means Nothing’. An album highlight for sure
Shelter – This is a bop. Honestly, this could have been a big, inspirational album closer. But after multiple listens, I understand now why this song sits mid record. Beautiful track.
Monolith – Lochie from Alpha Wolf feature on this track. Need I say more? Yes I do, because holy shit this song rules. The track reeks of Alpha Wolf influence, from the immediate tones on the guitars, sounding exactly like stuff we’ve come to love from the Tassie lads. One of the album’s strongest songs.
Lonely God – Whenever I see a title track on a record, I automatically assume that song is important enough to the album ride an entire collection of songs on. ‘Lonely God’ is worthy of being the title track. This is the song for the long time fans.
Between Us – Simply put, this is the ballad of the record. Beautiful. Haunting. Heartbreaking. Brilliant.
Sentient – I have no idea why, but the intro of ‘Sentient’ gives me nostalgia I can’t pick where it’s from. Maybe an era of early 00s metalcore. But when the song kicks in, it reeks of the vintage Fit For A King sound.
Blue Venom – 112 seconds of mosh. This song is going to slam live. Fit For A King need to write more short songs. I wanted to throw fists in my living room listening to this song.
TECHNIUM – The biggest track from the record, it’s the second of three collabs on the record. This time, featuring The Plot in You. Out of the three features, it’s my least favorite. It could be the fact it’s a little overexposed right now, but it’s still a really good song. The drums on this rule. Shout out to drummer Trey Celaya.
Witness The End – What a track to end the record. And doubling down, with a feature from Chris from Motionless in White, really helped top this record off in a brilliant way. The harmony between the vocal styles of Kirby and Motionless really shows how well they complement each other. Plus, the guitar solo on this track is huge. This is going to be a fun one live.
Final Thoughts
Following up my number one record of 2022 was going to be a high bar. I did enjoy the record a lot. My only complaint is that the album at times feels like it lacks focus at times. But not enough for me to be pulled out of enjoying it. ‘Blue Venom’ and ‘Extinction’ are reasons for me that Fit For A King should do more short, fast songs. But songs like ‘Shelter’ and ‘Between Us’ also show to me that a balance needs to be struck between the dark, heavy shit, with light, beautiful songs. Overall, the album is a worthy successor to The Hell We Create, and I’m very excited for the future of Fit For A King.
Score – 9/10
Standouts – No Tomorrow, Blue Venom, Monolith
Honorable Mention – Between Us
