The men. The myth. The legend. King Kraken. Fire-starters, devoted fathers and writers of heavy metal records that are more ferocious than the mythical sea monster for which the band are named. Jo Wright grabbed a chat with the band in the beer garden at The Brickmakers, Norwich, before they brought the roof down at Roxoff The Night Before. And, as is now tradition when talking to these super friendly riff wielding Welsh warriors, laughed so hard she snorted. Classy.
So chaps, The Dev in Camden was King Kraken’s chosen victim last night – were there any survivors? ‘It was a good gig,’ says Adam Healey (lead guitar). ‘I was really enjoying the show but I thought, ‘Rich’s (Mears, drums) playing’s off a bit,’. I turned around, and saw that his stand was on the floor!’
‘We did a gig once,’ Adam laughs, ‘and Pete (Rose, rhythm guitar) came, and was proudly tuning up with his new amp. We did the sound check and he was like, ‘There’s smoke coming from this boys…’ There was a distinct smell of burning!’ Rather than chance creating a raging inferno, the band the boys were playing with lent Pete an amp – which happened to be the same make as the one he’d just sold to fund his new highly flammable piece of kit! King Kraken all go to work during the day, dominate the stage at night, and some have young humans at home. This interview is proof that they live to tell the tale. How is this possible? ‘Having an amazing missus who understands!’ laughs Rich. ‘I’m away every single weekend this month, so we make sure we drive through the night after gigs so I have some time with them. We’ll get home from shows at about 3 or 4am, then I’m up by 7am and running around. I’ll try and catch a nap in the afternoon!’
Unleashed on April 18, King Kraken’s second album ‘March of the Gods’ has been a metal maelstrom, with its singles pounding rock radio charts and playlists. ‘I’ll drive home from work and our record’s on, and I’ll feel like a rock star!’ smiles Adam.
Can the band believe the success of this album? Consensus of opinion, ‘It’s nuts!’
‘I don’t want to sound big-headed, but yes!’ adds Mark (Donoghue, vocals). ‘We definitely achieved all our plans. I think the only thing that was more than we expected, was Kerrang! Radio were playing us. And we got on Planet Rock too, and Primordial.’ There’s also been magazine coverage, including Rock Radio UK and a feature in Metal Hammer. ‘I grew up reading Metal Hammer!’ says Mark. ‘I used to idolise the bands in it, so it feels so surreal.’
‘If someone had told me we’d be on the radio I wouldn’t have believed them!’ says Rich. ‘You’ve got to look back and think, ‘We’ve come a long way.’ It’s all very well and good being up in the clouds – which is great – but sometimes you have to bring yourself back to earth.
‘We’ll keep pushing as far as we can,’ Rich adds. ‘It’s all going really well at the minute.’ Endgame fellas? ‘Playing to a 150,000 crowd at a festival or in a stadium!’ declares Karl.
How does having your songs on the radio differ from hearing them on the album? ‘I think it’s more of an intense pleasure,’ says Pete. ‘The first time I heard us on Planet Rock, I was on the way back from work, and I turned the car around and drove down a hill and then back up it so I could hear it all!’ adds Adam.
And it’s just as well rock radio is taking notice, and live music lovers are packing out The Brickmakers tonight (and other venues this band are bombarding). Because King Kraken - makers of hard rock and heavy metal with heart, heft, passion and power – are both a must-hear and a must-see band. Long may they reign!
