KINGS NEVER DIE from New York and New Jersey arrived on the hardcore scene with their debut EP “Raise A Glass” just moments before the worldwide pandemic shut down the world, and the entire music industry with it. Although the band’s immediate future plans were derailed after only playing a handful of their upcoming tour schedule, that did not stop the release from making a mark on the music scene in the United States, and in Europe. “Raise A Glass” enjoyed almost instant impact and spent seven straight weeks on the CORETEX RECORDS TOP 20, where it was granted Record of the Week, finally topping out at number four on the chart. An energizing accomplishment for a completely new band’s first release, especially after having almost all their 2020 touring plans and schedule canceled like so many others.
Despite the crushing challenges brought about by covid-19 on the entire world, Kings Never Die has utilized the downtime as a way to create and has big plans firmly in place for 2021.
Joining forces with soon-to-be legendary producer/recording engineer Jerry Farley (Sick of it All/Madball) and heavy music scene veteran Laz Piña (Ill Niño), Kings Never Die will release a follow-up EP, “It’s What We Live For” which consists of three new tracks and two freshly remixed/remastered tracks from their “Raise A Glass” EP. The new EP is a sonic barrage of classic influenced, in-your-face hardcore punk, with tasty, memorable melodies that are a Kings Never Die hallmark.
Nobody knows the effects of covid-19 better than guitarist/songwriter Dan Nastasi, who lost his Father to the disease in September 2020. The EP’s first single, “Pure Gold”, is a fitting and memorable tribute to the man that gave his son a philosophy and work ethic that would guide Dan in everything he does. Nastasi reflects, “We thought it was important to release a few tracks that we recorded during 2020 that, most importantly, we love, and we wanted to share with everybody as we gear up to record our upcoming debut full length. There’s really nothing anyone can do about the lost time this past year brought with it, other than to keep working and doing what it is that we love to do. It’s that character that my Father instilled in me“.
Other new tracks on the EP are “Minor Threats” and “We Got Tonight to Fight”, which features a guest vocal performance by none other than long-time friend and legendary NYHC character, William “RATBONES” Furlong. The EP is rounded out with remixed versions of “Never Know What You Might Find” and “Raise A Glass”, the latter of which features the guest vocals of Agnostic Front’s legendary Vinnie Stigma and Mike Gallo, who also helped co-write the song.
“It’s What We Live For” features drummers John Milnes and Steve Gallo, both exceptional drummers with rich musical histories. Kings Never Die expresses the utmost respect and gratitude to John and Steve for providing the backbone to the music and for helping to get KND off the ground.
Next up in April 2021, Kings Never Die will be included on the highly anticipated Pitchfork Hardware and filmmaker Drew Stone’s “A7 – Back to the NYHC Roots Music Series” compilation album. The record will feature the KND track, “Stand for it All” which is already being heralded as a future classic within the tight knit NYHC family that we are immensely proud to be a part of. The track will be exclusive to this landmark compilation record only, and it’s a true banger we can’t wait for you to hear!
With all that in motion, Kings Never Die is preparing to enter the recording studio with the aforementioned acclaimed producer Jerry Farley to begin work on their much-anticipated debut full-length album. Adding to the mix, Kings Never Die is proud and honored to announce that handling drum duties during these upcoming sessions will be one of the most influential drummers to come out of the NYHC scene, none other than Danny Schuler of Biohazard. To say that we are excited to have Schuler’s vast experience and prodigious skills being applied to our record is the understatement of the century! Those that have heard the upcoming material with Schuler behind the kit say, “Old & new Kings Never Die fans should expect nothing less the 12 classic true to form hardcore tracks”.
In speaking with guitarist Larry “the Hunter” Nieroda and Dan Nastasi, this band is a fresh start for everyone, and they want Kings Never Die to be judged completely on its own merits alone, regardless of their rich and varied musical histories and previous bands. Nastasi writes, “This is only about what we are doing now, and although we love and respect the people and bands we have played with in the past and the music we have written with them and for them, people should judge us only on what we are doing now. Nieroda adds, “Of course we hope people who’ve enjoyed what we’ve done in the past dig it, but make no mistake…there are no shortcuts or riding on past successes. We have cultivated this band from the ground up and we’re putting in the work together with people who share the same vision. This is our family. Kings Never Die is who we are now”.
KND is all business about being true to the art they create. They do not claim to be reinventing the wheel here, but it has a unique sound, and it speaks loudly for itself. At its core, the future musical direction will be even harder than the previous releases, but always keeping the big, chant like sing along vocal style with angry yet insightful, meaningful and hopefully uplifting lyrical content. Vocally, Dylan Gadino holds it down in spades with a commanding voice, supplemented by Nastasi’s strong vocal presence, strategically overlaid to complement Gadino’s delivery.
Guitar-wise Dan Nastasi is as solid as a rhythm player gets and with Larry the Hunter providing the lead fire and harmonies over and around it all, the outcome is a fierce amalgamation of aural provocation.
Last but not least, bassist Jason Kalfin, who has been a stalwart member of the NY and NJ hardcore scene for decades, supplies a fat and menacing low end growl with meticulous precision that only years of experience can provide.
All this together makes KINGS NEVER DIE, and it is what we truly live for! Expect to see a lot of noise about KND in 2021. Going to be hard to miss so be sure to check it out.
KINGS NEVER DIE
It’s What We Live For
Upstate / Bloodblast
Released: 26.03.2021
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