Kingdom Of Giants - 'Burning Chrome' - EP Review

Lighthouse Music
6 days ago
2 min read

BACKGROUND. Almost a year since the release of their seminal Bleeding Star EP, Kingdom of Giants are back at it again with the next chapter of their mezmerizing dystopian tale. For a band that dropped the monumental Passenger out of nowhere in 2020, and then went almost completely MIA for several years, the Sacramento heavyhitters have been wonderfully active recently, and we couldn't be happier, for the scene needs them badly. With their brand new 6-track EP Burning Chrome out to complete last year's offering, their current position at the scene, as well as future status, appear to be stronger than ever.

BAND. Following the welcome return of the prodigal son Jonny Reeves before the EP cycle, Kingdom of Giants are back to their unstoppable lineup from the pre-pandemic era, the well-oiled modern metalcore machine that delivered those iconic underground classics and became the cult heroes we know today, albeit still criminally underrated. For unknown reasons and sadly out of our control, global fame and wider popularity remain somewhat out of reach, but their musical output continues to flourish, Burning Chrome presenting the band at their most focused, polished and confident form to date.

EP. Burning Chrome is the calmer, brighter, lighter counterpart to Bleeding Star. It delivers the same signature sound, cyberpunk aesthetic and dystopian mood, just noticeably more accessible and structured. The EP carries on with the electronic undertones and 80s neon feel of Passenger, as well as the industrial framework and digitalised nuances of its predecessor, then goes the extra mile to push Kingdom of Giants into a more mainstream and radio-friendly territory without sacrificing their edge and depth.

SONGS. The synth-led 'Tune me Out' starts off with gentle introduction and a huge singalong chorus before the lead single 'Collide' switches to higher gear and sets the tone for the rest of EP. From the new tracks, 'Lead Me Back' certainly stands out with solid grooves and a massive breakdown, while 'Cold Burn' and 'Taste of Poison' add layers of melodies, atmospherics and moods to the already rich picture. At the very end, the second single 'Digital Hell' wraps up the EP the perfect example of what makes Burning Chrome so captivating and noteworthy in 2025.

FUTURE. Taken as two separate EPs, both Bleeding Star and Burning Chrome are fantastic offerings - conceptual, concise and complete. Taken as one whole, however, they form an absolute genre classic, the perfect continuation to the wonderful Passenger, and a milestone release for the band, both parts complementing, reinfocring and enriching each other as one monstrously faultless LP. Once again, we are reminded of just how breathtakingly good Kingsom of Giants are, and regardless of their current degree of fame and success, one could only admire the talent, artistry and vision on such consistent display.