Grunge gods are back for their third go-around

KMX is back with their new album Circle of Dolls. This star-studded group have not only provided us with their third album, but they’ve done so while being part of other rock bands. They have guitarist George Lynch from Lynch Mob, King’s X’s Dug Pinnick with the vocals and on bass and Ray Luzier of Korn on drums. KMX being a mix of the artists other band names (K from Korn, M from Lynch Mob and X via King’s X).

They’re back with a 13-track new album Circle of Dolls that’s even more killer than their first two. You can tell they enjoyed themselves while making this, the band brings new sounds that are unlike anything anyone’s ever heard while staying true to their original sound. Album opener, “War of the Worlds” is such a truly sensational way to kick the record off, with Pinnick’s classic voice and even a quick solo shred by Lynch, this song has us starting off on the right foot, to say the least.

The sensations don’t stop, following the rest of the tracks. KXM gives us some psychedelic symphonies in the second track “Mind Swamp” as well as brilliant guitar riffs from Lynch that are implemented in almost every track. The longest song on the album, track four “Lighting,” a favorite, switches up the vibe with a funkadelic smooth sound. The song calls for you to “turn off all your troubles” and “leave them all behind” that really hits you in the soul while throwing in a variety of sounds.

This album is for the fighters, to say the least, and although track five “Time Flies” has its mellow moments, you can’t stop your body from moving to this song that reminds you how fast moments are “gone, gone, gone.”

This album incorporates some amazing vocals by Pinnick accompanied by perfect harmonies from the other two band members. This group has the ideal amount of talent that rock this day simply lacks. Track 6 “Twice” will truly have you playing back this track and this album at least twice. We get some urban beats and background funk on track seven “Big As the Sun.” This high energy track brings a fresh sound to the album, unlike any song we’ve heard from KMX preceding this one.

Tracks eight through twelve are on the darker side, bringing intense sounds and “the feeling” they sing of in track twelve “Cold Sweats.” Rewinding to track eight “Vessel of Destruction” Luzier starts us off with a groovy drum beat for this track that’s for the fighters. This one is truly for those who can be their own worst enemy but refuse to give up the fight.

Track nine “A Day Without Me” is full of grungy goodness, starting off mellow than blowing up your speakers with some hard-core jamming with some crazy riffs thrown In by Lynch. Track nine and Track ten are two you can just sing your heart out to or scream in your car during traffic- either way.

The band really highlights their musical talents in track eleven “shadow lover” Lynch takes you up and down his guitar, while Pinnick and Luzier also showcase their instruments along with their musical gifts. The album closes out with track thirteen “The Boarder” that brings along a sense of introspection like you need to take a second and really take in all that you listened to and the deeper meaning of each song, and what it means to you.

KXM really tells a story with this eclectic new album, the trio from other popular bands bring together their talents for an epic new release. With diverse new sounds, while keeping their stellar originality, their mix of talent is the perfect recipe for an awesome new album.