When guitarist Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) made it known he was writing songs for a brand-new project, word got to English journalist Dave Ling, who put Matheos in touch with singer Steve Overland (FM). To complete the line-up the duo then recruited drummer Simon Phillips (The Who, Toto) and bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning). They released their debut in 2022, and this, their second, came out last year. There is no doubting the pedigree of those involved, with Phillips in particular being a widely sought after session musician as well as being in multiple bands and has played on many important works over more than 50 years (he was on ‘Sin After Sin’, ‘The Michael Schenker Group’, ‘Smallcreep’s Day’ for example). But here he has been told keep it simple, don’t do anything which may attract attention and leave out the fills and complexity he is known for, while a similar conversation was obviously had with Vera, who is almost invisible.
Matheos is a great guitarist, but he has dumbed himself down so while Overland still has a great set of pipes the end result is middle of the road dad rock with little or nothing in the way of hooks or interest. It soon becomes one of those releases where one keeps looking at the player wondering just how much longer it has to go. I have not heard the debut, but when I saw the names of those involved, I knew this was going to be special and I just had to hear it. I was wrong, dead wrong, and now I have heard it and understand it is middle of the road melodic rock with no redeeming features the only positive is I do not have to listen to it again.
Rating: 5/10
Links:
https://kingsofmercia.com/
https://www.metalblade.com/
