Kyng delivers a sound they call California Heavy, a massive and melodic collision of stoner rock weight and alternative rock accessibility. It is the sound of a power trio firing on all cylinders, where the bass and drums lock into a thick, swinging groove that allows the guitar to oscillate between crushing fuzz and intricate, bluesy leads. The vocals are a standout, offering a soulful rasp that carries a surprising amount of emotional weight without ever losing its edge.
What truly sets them apart is their ability to bridge the gap between the 1970s heavy metal of Black Sabbath and the modern, desert-bleached hooks of Queens of the Stone Age. They avoid the repetitive traps of the stoner genre by focusing on tight songwriting and dynamic shifts. There is a sense of urgency and persistence in their music, a blue-collar grit that feels authentic and lived-in, rather than just a stylistic choice.
Start with their 2014 album Burn the Serum. It captures the band at their most cohesive, blending massive riffs with hooks that linger long after the feedback fades. It is the perfect entry point for anyone who wants their rock music to feel both physically heavy and intellectually engaging.
Kyng is a Los Angeles–based stoner metal band consisting of Eddie Veliz (vocals, guitar), Tony Castaneda (bass, backup vocals), and Pepe Clarke (drums). The group formed in 2008 and their debut release, Trampled Sun, was released on September 27, 2011, on Realid Records. The band signed to Razor & Tie Records in August 2013 and the trio released their second album, Burn The Serum, on April 15, 2014. Burn The Serum was recorded at Grandmaster Recorders LTD and Sword & Shield in Hollywood, California and Studio 606 in Northridge, California. James Rota and Andrew Alekel co-produced the album. Rota is known for Fireball Ministry while Alekel is known for his work on Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age recordings. The band released their third full-length studio album, Breathe in the Water, on October 7, 2016, on Razor & Tie Records. In an interview with Noisecreep, Eddie explains that the band might not have existed if it weren't for their persistence. "What is crazy about Kyng is that it was my last hurrah," admits Veliz. "You know, I had a steady job doing my thing. Tony (Castaneda, bass) and I had always talked about getting another band together and it was a side project for a moment but as we started writing music, it just kept getting better and better and we decided that we should try to play in front of people instead of just sitting around. We went at it, stuck to our guns and it started to snowball into a tiny machine that is getting bigger." The band has toured with Megadeth, Static-X, Saliva, Trivium, Danzig, Clutch, Seether, Papa Roach and Black Label Society. They also performed at Metallica's Orion Music + More Festival in 2012. From Trampled Sun, the singles "Falling Down" and "I Don't Believe" hit numbers 30 and 35 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 2011 and 2012, respectively. From Burn the Serum, the single "Electric Halo" hit number 25 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 2014. Non-charting singles include "Bleed Easy" from Trampled Sun, and "Self-Medicated Man" and "Sewn Shut" from Burn the Serum. Breathe in the Water hit number 13 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and number 20 on the Hard Rock Albums chart. In 2016, the band issued a cease and desist letter towards the rapper Kyyngg over his name, which had previously been spelled the same way as the band's.
Shares stoner rock, hard rock, alternative metal (subgenres); analog warmth, live recording, studio polished (production style)
Shares stoner rock, hard rock, alternative metal (subgenres); raspy, belting, raw (vocal style)
Shares stoner rock, hard rock, alternative metal (subgenres); desert, dive bar, road trip (atmosphere)
Shares stoner rock, hard rock, sludge metal (subgenres); desert, dive bar, road trip (atmosphere)
Shares stoner rock, hard rock, sludge metal (subgenres); analog warmth, live recording, dynamic range (production style)
Shares stoner rock, hard rock, sludge metal (subgenres); defiant, brooding, intense (moods)
Shares defiant, brooding, intense (moods); stoner rock, hard rock, alternative metal (subgenres)
Shares stoner rock, hard rock, sludge metal (subgenres); desert, dive bar, road trip (atmosphere)
Shares stoner rock, desert, sludge metal, hard rock (signature)
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