Formed in 2018, South Wales five-piece King Kraken are currently kicking up a storm following the release of their debut album MCLXXX.  The band have blasted their way into 2023 with a series of highly regarded singles from the album, including the monstrous Haddonfield 78 which has received nearly 20,000 listens on Spotify at the time of writing, With support from big hitters Kerrang, Planet Rock and the BBC.

The next single green terror also smashed it, with the same support from the big hitters and is currently sitting at number 3 in the primordial radio up vote chart, second place in the classic rock track of the week (second only to the winery dogs), 15,000 streams on Spotify and being played all over the world at this present time with a great wrestling related video.

Following a huge show at Hammerfest 2020 which saw the band fill the main hall at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, King Kraken were forced to slow their push for global domination by the pandemic. Not ones to rest, they regrouped, released their Chaos Engine EP, and returned to writing. The result is the astonishing MCLXXX. Produced by legendary producer Romesh Dodangoda (Motörhead, Bullet for My Valentine, Bring Me the Horizon), it contains ten tracks that feature the essence of Kraken - big thick riffs, the bluesy lead work, huge drums and the commanding vocals of Mark Donoghue. There’s versatility aplenty, from the bombastic opener Devil’s Night through to the groove of Proctor’s Ledge. The highly reviewed album has received rave reviews throughout,( metal hammer, ERB, fireworks, powerplay).
It’s in the live arena where the Kraken really comes to life. Having toured extensively in 2022, the band ended the year with a high level support slot to Fury at The Redhouse Cymru in Merthyr Tydfil. They returned a month later to a triumphant album launch party, with over 200 fans from across the country selling out the venue in a memorable night.  

Having been held back once, the mighty Kraken is now an unstoppable force. With a wide range of shows booked for 2023 including some high profile festival slots, there is plenty of opportunity to catch one of the most exciting bands in the UK today. You’d be a fool to miss it.

King Kraken comprise the gravel-throated roar of the prowling bear Mark Donoghue, the thunderous timekeeping of Richard Lee Mears who locks in tight with bassist Karl Meyers and rhythm guitarist Pete Rose to provide the platform for virtuoso guitarist Adam Healey to spill forth his stellar lead breaks.