Review by Richie Pirone
City Of Kings is the self-released debut from Brooklyn metal band Verismo. The band has an interesting background in that they are all immigrants to the US from very different backgrounds – one Italian, one Filipino, and one Hungarian. Obviously what brought this band together is their shared passion for music, which they execute fairly well.
The album’s opener and one of its strongest tracks “Enemy” has clearly got Verismo wearing one of its influences on its sleeve in the form of Corrosion Of Conformity. The song is highlighted by its beefy riff and bashing drums that hopefully signals good things to come for City Of Kings. “Bad Day” is unfortunately one of the weaker songs on Verismo’s debut. The song has a great thrash verse but is unfortunately brought down by the uninspired and repetitive lyrics in the chorus and a poorly executed guitar solo, which would turn out to be one of the weaknesses of the album. “The Last Word” brings back memories of old school Metallica (you know, before they cut their hair) both with its vocals and riffs. It’s a nice reminder that bands are still influence by Metallica when they were the band that fans loved.
The mid-point of City Of Kings comes with “Moment Of Clarity” which truly feels like just that. The songs opens with a clean guitar riff and then bursts into the heavy riffs. The songs ends on one of the best thrash riffs on the record. Guitarists Stephan Laboccetta’s inability to play lead guitar with what fans have become accustomed to is unfortunately showcased in “Field Report” but the song is fortunately saved by a great break down that mixes bath and forth between thrash and pounding sludgy metal riffs.
Why bands find it necessary to always end albums with a slow tune, I’ll never understand. While I understand the thinking that they want to get it in the listener’s head that the album is winding down, I don’t want to be let down softly. I want to be kicked to the curb. The closing track on City Of Kings unfortunately falls short of kicking me at the curb. I’d likely make about half way out the door considering the song, “Legacy,” does pick up. Overall, City Of Kings is certainly a formidable debut and should help the Verismo to build their fan base. The two things holding this band back is Laboccetta both in his vocals which do not stand out as can be seen in that they aren’t mentioned at all in this review and his lead guitar skills.