The first thing that comes to mind listening to “Second Dawn” by the band KING ZOG is doom and gloom. “Second Dawn” is definitely doom metal and this album is heavily influenced by the inventors of doom metal, maybe even metal itself, Black Sabbath. Everything about this says Sabbath, from the very Tony Iommi stylized guitar riffs, which are as close to ripping off Iommi without actually doing so, to the vocals which also are very much in the style of Ozzy. KING ZOG is a band from Perth, Western Australia, who are named after an Albanian King from last century. While they have always had the Black Sabbath sound, on “Second Dawn” it is perfected even more. The guitar tone is closer here to that Iommi fuzz sound. The drums and bass are thundering on the bottom end.

“Rat King” is technically the second song or track on the album, but the first track, “Scelestic Dusk” is only a one minute intro that blends into “Rat King”. This song is very reminiscent of Iron Man’s bridge and interlude sections. The whole rhythm and feel of “Rat King” gives off that vibe. Like their inspiration, KING ZOG are not confined to writing formulated three minute songs. “Rat King” is over seven minutes long. Two others are over six minutes, and the last track is nearly eleven and a half. “Hollow Man Blues” is the first of the six minute tracks. The whole song is essentially based on a good Sabbath like groove, with a few variations to keep the song fresh. “Madagascar Tree”, brings together a couple of different elements. It starts with just the rhythm guitar setting the tone. The guitar riff could be from any other band, but once again, the tempo, groove and tone brings in the Sabbath feel, especially when the drums and bass come in. Then they add a second guitar that’s a little more melodic, but also does mimic the melody. This is one of the eerie, creepy vibes of a song, much like Electric Funeral. The title track, “Second Dawn” is the final and longest song on the album, at seven minutes and twenty eight seconds. It is another mid tempo song, starting with clean guitars with a chorus effect playing an eerie riff, followed by heavy guitars. The verses utilize a melodic heavy riff, creating a slow lumbering pace to the song.

If you are looking for that ominous sound of Black Sabbath, you find it with King Zog. They have so much of the Sabbath vibe, that they sound like they could be a tribute band. For me, they come across as just an imitation that doesn’t quite get there. I’ll take the originals. “Second Dawn” lumbers along in the slow mid tempo range a little too long.