Kingslayer - World War Slaya

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Kingslayer delivers a relentless slab of metallic hardcore on World War Slaya, channeling the chaotic energy of mid-2010s MySpace metalcore, groove-heavy hardcore, and touches of dissonant death metal. The album is raw, aggressive, and dripping with unfiltered intensity, but it’s hindered by a murky, inconsistent mix that often buries key elements, making it difficult to fully appreciate the band’s strengths.

From the start, Intro sets the tone with gritty, Hatebreed-esque guitar tones, thick basslines, and hard-hitting, hollow-sounding drums. There’s an undeniable groove running through the record, but at times, the production makes it feel stiff rather than fluid. The riffs hit hard, but the mix occasionally robs them of the impact they deserve.

Die By My Flame ramps up the intensity with faster, chug-heavy riffing, injecting the record with a sense of urgency. However, the muffled mix prevents the energy from fully connecting. The drums, while punchy and dynamic, sometimes blend too much with the bass, causing certain sections to lose clarity and making the low end feel more like a dense thud than a driving force.

Vocals are another casualty of the mix, often feeling buried beneath the instrumentation. This is frustrating because when they do cut through—like on Jesus Wept—they sound massive and commanding, showcasing a raw, almost unhinged delivery that could have been a defining strength of the record.

Guest features, including Garf on FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt and Wade and World of Malice on the title track, add extra layers to the album’s aggression. However, due to the dense and compressed mix, these collaborations don’t always stand out as much as they should. There’s potential for these moments to feel like highlights, but they often get swallowed by the sheer sonic weight of the record.

One of World War Slaya’s strongest aspects is its bass tone, which shines particularly on True Love and Wade, where it provides a filthy, driving groove that anchors the songs. The dissonant guitar work and occasional death metal-inspired chugging—especially on KFS—help break up the pacing, bringing some much-needed variety to the album’s structure. At its best, World War Slaya creates a cavernous, crushing atmosphere, with reverb-drenched vocals on Lone Bullet adding a haunting touch.

However, the record’s biggest weakness remains its overall sonic presentation. The levels are inconsistent, making certain songs feel muddled and preventing the heaviest moments from hitting with their full potential. The mix flattens what should be standout riffs and breakdowns, making them feel less impactful than they otherwise would.

Kingslayer clearly has a strong identity and an ear for writing heavy, high-energy hardcore with an old-school metalcore influence. If they can refine their production—allowing each instrument to breathe, improving clarity, and making the vocals more prominent—they could be a serious force in the underground metallic hardcore scene.

As it stands, World War Slaya is an album filled with solid ideas and raw intensity, but it’s trapped beneath a mix that doesn’t do it justice. The band’s songwriting and energy are undeniable, and with the right production, their next release could be a game-changer.