King Slender - King Slender

Labels: Killer Tofu Records/One Day Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 08 Sep 2017

Tracklist:

1. Bubble Buster (Tell Your Friends)

2. New Funeral

3. Gold Bags

4. Forever Circling

I don't see this band being talked about anywhere near enough. US post-hardcore band King Slender released their self-titled EP in late 2017 on 7" via Killer Tofu Records and One Day Records. Around the same time Zegema Beach Records also did a limited run of tapes. It was sandwiched between their earlier debut demo in 2016 and their latest EP, Brian Daily's Olympic Karate, that was released in 2019. They share or have shared members with The Minor Times, Five Stars For Failure, Carved Up and more. 

I’m lucky enough to own a copy of the ZBR tape pressing of this EP. The run was limited to 50 copies on smokey tape with wraparound covers in resealable plastic sleeves. King Slender plays off-kilter post-hardcore/screamo here and opener ‘Bubble Buster (Tell Your Friends)’ is heart-on-your-sleeve from the start. Flowing with plenty of melodic guitar and emotive harsh vocals. It’s surprisingly mid-paced too, especially the percussion.

Things get a bit more frantic from here on out as ‘New Funeral’ greets you with a much more dissonant sound and faster tempo. Chords and riffs are more anguished this time around, but everything still holds together and doesn’t get out of control. ’Gold Bags’ has a more anthemic tone and is slightly deeper rooted in punk than maybe the other songs on this EP. However you hear it though, you’ll find loads of enjoyment in listening.

EP closer ‘Forever Circling’ provides a dramatic ending with heavier influences showing through. Still more melodic than abrasive, King Slender know how to write well-structured, memorable songs (which, is no surprise given their collective experience). It comes and goes without any messing about and definitely leaves a positive impression.

There’s so much music to seek out and keep up-to-date with all the time, but it’s still worth looking back at what’s come before, as there are plenty of real gems out there. King Slender are still active, which gives hope for new music but in the meantime, go and visit their back catalogue.

You can stream the EP and purchase it on all formats below:-

King Slender - https://www.facebook.com/kingslendermusic

Physical copies are also available from the labels below:-

Killer Tofu Records - https://killertofurecs.storenvy.com/killer-tofu-releases

Zegema Beach Records - CAN/INTL Store http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/

Killer Tofu Records - https://www.facebook.com/killertofurecs

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords