"Rendered Waters" (2011) reviews
Published on Saturday, 15 October 2011 13:18 | 
Written by Brian Rademacher | 
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When you think to back in the day and remember bands that made an impact right from the start with kick-ass music and stunning vocals, one band comes to mind and that is KINGDOM COME. Yeah, you heard the claims they are LED ZEPPELIN clones but people found out differently as time went by. Ever since that self-titled debut in 1988 fans still to this day go back to that release and reminisce. With many releases under their belt since then KINGDOM COME return in 2011 with their new offering “Rendered Waters” which includes eight older and three newly-recorded songs. All eleven tracks were cut at Lenny's Two Square Noise Factory Studio in Hamburg, Germany. At first thought you would think this is just a compilation album but to the contrary, the eight past tracks are newly recorded with an updated feel of today’s music. One thing for sure if you only listened to the first couple releases by the band and thought their time has past, you’re completely wrong. “Rendered Waters” completely smokes and what I like most is that lead vocalist and founder Lenny Wolf did not cherry-pick hit songs but he went to the well and rejuvenated tunes that could have been forgotten by past by fans.
The CD opens with “Can´t Deny” and captures the atmospheric vibe that many artists look for. Wolf is so amazing that chills run down your neck. It’s hard to believe that some fans lost track of a phenomenal vocalist like Wolf. The guitar on “Can’t Deny” by Eric Förster shreds with astounding presence. Once music lovers hear the newly record material, new and old fans will flock with enjoyment and bring new excitement to KINGDOM COME. I’m going to tell you I am one who was a fan of that first release and moved on after that but to tell you the truth these tracks to me are fresh and the sound and production blows me away.
Next up is “The Wind” another track that’s off the hook and truly shines. If you like classic rock with a bit of spice “Rendered Waters” will set fire to your ears. Track after track explodes with exciting guitar work and vocally, Wolf is stunning.
You want a brand new track? Well here it comes in the form of “Blue Trees”. Now if you think there is a change in direction or thought this could have been a track from the past how can you differ the past tracks on “Rendered Waters” to the brand new tracks? That’s what happens when you have top-notch musicians and writers in a band. New or old the songs kick ass and have a fresh sound. Check out “Should I”, its amazing! You’ve got to sit back and enjoy these tracks and think, man I miss those past days when music like this was king. So many bands wish they could scratch the surface of a release like “Rendered Waters”. With elements of LED ZEPPELIN and PINK FLOYD this will undeniably put KINGDOM COME back on the map if there is any justice.
With a heavier tone “Pushing Hard” takes KINGDOM COME to another level and the astounding vocals by Wolf once again tear it up. Check out the guitar work and bass lines, which are sultry yet powerful. I just love it!
“Is It Fair Enough” is another brand new track that moves away from the typical KINGDOM COME style. The song meshes different guitar techniques and has a softer tone at times yet jams to a classical guitar vibe and I liked the changing style. The third brand new track “Don`t Remember” was my favorite because it really shows Wolf's vocals at his best and once again KINGDOM COME as a unit will shine.
You gotta pick this gem up. It’s killer!
by Brian Rademacher at Rockeyez.com (Posted on www.kingdomcome.de/forum by Dave Takas)
Kingdom Come was a band that appeared on the scene in the late 80’s, when hair metal was already on its way out. But their familiar glam styled guitar riffs and high pitched shrieks garnered them lots of radio play and a good fan base. Though they never made it to any Top 10 Hair Metal Bands list, their music wasn't much different than that being produced by the big names of the genre. Then suddenly grunge took over the music scene, and bands like Kingdom Come virtually disappeared. Now the band is back with a new album called "Rendered Waters," though most of the tracks aren't really new.
There are only three new songs on "Rendered Waters." The rest of the tracks are revisited, and though they pretty much stick to the same formula as the original versions, there are slight variations. In some cases this is good, and in some it's not so good, but after so many years, it's a letdown to have a new album simply be remastering of old material. Greatest Hits albums are fine, and new material is fine, but as the saying goes, if it ain't broke don’t fix it, and for the most part Kingdom Come's original songs weren't broken.
In the case of the opener "Can’t Deny," the changes are for the better. The intro is longer than the original, though they cut out some of the repetition found in the original song. The tempo still remains about the same, and while in the 80’s this was perceived as upbeat, by today's standards it seems a bit slow. Still, Lenny Wolf's vocals on this one are strong.
The first new song, "Blue Trees," is really nothing special. It's standard glam metal with heavy riffs, but it's also the shortest track. The band didn't pack much punch in this brief amount of time. The next track, "Should I," has some nice sleazy guitar and bass work in the intro, but quickly falls into sounding like something off a Dio tribute album. For some fans this is really good, but since the goal of the band was to make their songs sound more relevant, I think they may have failed.
I do like the new track "Is It Fair Enough." The minor chords give it a depth lacking in the other songs, and though the tempo is slower, the guitar breakdown is pretty impressive without relying too much on hair metal shred techniques. Admittedly, Wolf's vocals are a bit strained on this track, but you do have to give a band certain allowances after 20 years. The followup track is an improved version of "Living Out Of Touch," and though there aren't many changes, Eric Foerster's guitar work is heavier. This is a good southern rock, sleazy track that meshes some of the traditional sounds of hair metal with a little heavier, more modern sound.
The closing track is "Break Down The Wall," and those who still like glam metal will love this as an album closer. It's unapologetic hair metal at its best, with a mid-level, sing along tempo, wailing vocals, and an overall feel that's a mix of Van Halen and Cheap Trick. This is probably the best track on the album, and an excellent choice as closer.
When it's all said and done, Kingdom Come has released an album in "Rendered Waters" that is enjoyable. Most of the tracks are a good listen, but the decision to rework old material rather than focusing on new may leave a lot of listeners in the cold.
Highs: There aren't any bad tracks, and the guitar work, though still glam in style, is heavier than the original versions of most of the songs.
Lows: The decision to re-release old songs and modify them rather than offer new material seems unwise.
Bottom line: Kingdom Come revisits old tracks and offers a few new samplings, but fans of the hair metal act may not be keen about their favorite tunes being modified.
