Band: King 810
Album: Rustbelt Numetal Part 1
Genre: Numetal
Country: US
Release Date: June 9th, 2025
During a live-stream vlog early this year, King 810 vocalist and frontman David Gunn revealed to fans that the beginning of a three-piece saga, or triptych, was to begin on 23/3/25. The nature of this project, titled the Rustbelt Numetal Parts I, II and III, would involve three studio albums being recorded in front of a live audience. No click tracks, no synthesizers, just pure unfiltered chaos siphoned into three albums. On the 9th of June, this journey began, with part 1 being released for all to see. If you visit their youtube channel, you will get to see many of these songs being recorded live, which speaks only to the absolute musicianship of the band members themselves (as well as a sneak peek into the energy of their live shows).
The eponymous opening track, Rustbelt Numetal, evokes the immediate image of the dark, raw underbelly of the midwest Rustbelt, of a place where God has been replaced. The energy of these riffs aren’t as frantic as other tracks, they are as laser-focused and in-your-face as the lyrics. “From east Palestine over to the Gaza Strip; Send weapons send money, Ohio ain’t get shit/Litigation bleeds eviction of family farms; He hung himself in the shed cuz he raped them in the barn”. This is a track that tells you exactly what to expect from living in this place. The opening track will have you tasting the blood-stained dirt that raised the members of King.
“I am King David, Father of Solomon. Legions of demon slaves and tetragrammatons” sounds like something from the Doom: The Dark Ages, but it’s a line straight from the second single from this album, the Noonday Demon. This one is a much more frantic delivery, perfect for a mosh-pit, a gym session, or just a morning wake up. In fact, Noonday Demon is perfect for all occasions (except maybe Christmas).
Continuing the maniacal energy comes Blue Collar Noose, a catchy and fast-paced vibe that will get everybody up and moshing. The bridge of this song contains an interesting vocal technique not seen on a King record since the days of Midwest Monsters, which sees David Gunn pushing some very heavy low growls, a welcome experimentation. Already a fan favourite among die hard King enthusiasts, this is certainly one we hope to see make its way into the live sets.
It wouldn’t be the Rust Belt without the Nu Metal, and that is exactly what the fifth track Headshot brings, with a low bass thump that harkens back to the early days of Korn, complete with yet another brutal reminder of what childhood in the Rust Belt can be like. “I met a real nice girl playing outside, balloon ruptured in her stomach and I held her as she shook and died”. “Little boys selling crumbs in a little vial; little girls selling panties to a pedophile; little fucked up, ain’t it? How we still smile?”. Reality is cold, and the fifth track of Rustbelt Numetal is even colder.
The third single off this album is Raindance, a politically charged bullet of a track. Nothing is off the table and everything is in David’s scope as he charges head first into the hellscape of the world. “Vanguard royal guard national guard; Police the world you know how Rome fell hard”, “Stock portfolios, shops are closed, bank accounts froze, bonus for CEOs”; and my personal favourite, “A man waits in the shadows who learned from Hitler’s mistakes”. This is System of a Down told through the visor of King 810, with a catchy chorus and an easy head-bang session. The outro is as viscous as War Outside’s was, as poignant and pointed as ever. Could this be King’s Prison song? That’s up to you, listener.
Bringing things back to a concert level experience is Rules of the Game, opening with a very Fieldy-sounding low bass riff, culminating in the live-studio audience chanting the chorus in what sounds like an excerpt from The Twilight Zone. Stripped down and force fed, this is another great track.
“…bow to your overLORDS” commands Gunn on this droned, screeched and screamed seventh song. A shockwave of a breakdown and as lyrically reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine comes Wooden Swords, reminding the listener that there will be no breaks or pauses on this ride through the Rustbelt, only harsh realities and harsher vocals.
Closing out the first chapter of the Rustbelt Triptych is Magnetars, which are apparently neutron stars with heavy magnetic fields. Those King aficionados might notice similarities to Love Under Will, a favourite to be played at King’s live shows. The riffs and drums come crashing down like thunderous waterfalls on a kill switch, sending heads ringing and hearts soaring.
All in all, this new entry to the King discography is being heralded as their strongest since MOAM, and while they’re very different albums I certainly see the appeal. The stripped down and bare live-studio recording, coupled with the fiery political lyrics and shotgun blasting riffs are evidence that King never lost their edge, they’ve just been sharpening spears.
Rating: 9/10
Track Listing:
1: Rustbelt Numetal
2: Noonday Demon
3: Blue Collar Noose
4: Headshot
5: Raindance
6: Rules of the Game
7: Wooden Swords
8: Magnetars
Total Playing Time: 28:59
