We had to open this can of worms, huh? It's not in my DNA to say things in a vanilla politically correct manner, so this kind of shit always gets the moderators coming after me.
OK, I'll play.
1. Better songs. Sure, sounds like an easy advice, but also like I'm bashing the past few albums. You know what? I am. The songs on the last few albums have been extremely simplistic, non-memorable, monotonous and well below par for what a KD release should entail. The songs that stand out are a sore contrast to the ones that don't. KD used to have more of an even standard on the albums, where you would be hard pressed to pick out a weak track. I realize it's not the late 80's/early 90's anymore, and that things have changed drastically, but given the space between albums, one would think there would be sufficient time to navigate in for a higher standard of songwriting. There should not be one dud on this next album. Not one. To just let the rhythm guitars chug along and accentuate the vocal "melody" (often just spoken lately) is a cop-out. That's not a riff; that's just fluff. I miss the progressive elements and I miss the riffs that carry the melodic themes. Hell, I miss melody, period.
2. Drums. Matt is a phenomenal drummer. I know this because I have the Shaolin Death Squad album and because I have seen King live. However, I would NOT know this from just listening to the studio albums. Matt's drumming is under such tight leashes on album that it sounds like programming. I am NOT saying it IS programmed drums on there, just that it SOUNDS like it. Let Matt fly free on the drum arrangements and add his punch to the music. I am sick of the boring slick trotting-along drumming of late on albums. Where's the energy? Where's the fury? Where's the drumming out of the box? Anybody, and I mean ANYBODY, could play the drum parts of the last few KD albums. Who could say that back when "Them" came out?
3. Production. Paul mentioned it as well. The production as of late, in all its "organic" glory, is a bit flat and lifeless. Nothing that says "oomph" and nothing that grabs you by the balls. Again, I realize it's not the late 80s, and that the world has moved on from soaking wet reverbs and huge bombastic keyboards, but checking out what other producers do with metal albums these days to get an idea of what "good" sounds like in this day and age would probably be a benefit to the sound. There are tons of metal bands out there, with far less experience or means that get killer sounds out of their offerings.
4. Producer. Bring in an outside producer. I think it's great that King takes an active part of the production of the album (it's his baby after all), but I think the time has come to go back to having an outside producer inject some fresh perspective into the mix and to get King out of his pattern. If we only surround ourselves with people who say "yes", then we get nowhere and we lack the honesty required to move forward. Get Andy Sneap. He would KILL as a KD producer.
5. Voice. King is singing BETTER THAN EVER, and I can't wait to hear that on album!
6. Story. With King's recent rendez-vous with death and trials and tribulations, I have a feeling there is a good story brewing in that head of his. Can't wait to see what darkness unfolds on the next album.
7. Livia. Ah, Livia... Sorry, but no. No disrespect whatsoever, just honesty. Live, yes. On album, just no.
I think that's it.
