I started noticing Fit for a King around the time I knew I was going to quit the old band. They had just put out Slave to Nothing and the scene was buzzing with how intensely assaulting it sounded yet sprinkled in Christian struggles, or failure, with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Songs like “A Greater Sense of Self” connected with internal strife yet awakes the primal side that makes you bounce, scream the words, and lose your shit. I got lost into its world. It’s the kind of stuff you tattoo on your arm. Waiting for their next record has been a daily ritual of checking their Facebook for updates and studio clips. The waiting has finally ended with Deathgrip, due October 7th.
“Pissed Off” and their album takes on terrorism, genocide, general death. Fit for a King were in Germany last year when ISIS attacked, which was just one of many recently. This first single has the kind of slinky grooves and breakdowns that satisfies the wait for new FFAK. Nick Sampson produced the record and carved out nice spacing for all the instruments, especially the bass. It’s clearly heard in metallic up-tempo rhythms and chuggasaurus verses and choruses. The final breakdown is reminiscent of “Warpath” from Creation/Destruction with its long hoovering guttural growl and slow show no mercy chugs. Most of the album promises to sound like that record.
Deathgrip, with all its hype, feels like it could be the best Fit for a King record yet, maybe ever. Everything you could want aesthetically and musically is there. Great fucking album cover I want on my body. The videos look amazing for their teasers. I can’t wait for their music videos, which I never thought I would say about any band in 2016. The themes of death and real life terrorism really intrigue me and broadens the audience for this band. The Christian edge or label on them is completely irrelevant. FFAK offers music with substance, and internal and external struggle. There is value in the lyrics and feel of the music, but you can easily just throw down to the heavy parts at a show. I can’t wait to see them live in October.
Disaesthetic 