SQUANKY KONG “Dawn of the Cataclysm”

Squank Entertainment, 2021

Music: Experimental Rock / Metal
Website: www.squankykong.com
Duration: 45 minutes  (8 tracks)
Country: U.S.A

It was around 1994 when American composer James Michael House decided to release music under the moniker of “Squanky Kong”. One can’t find a lot of releases as House has only released 2 LPs and an EP since then, but this can be justified with how perfect – both sonically, and lyrically, his albums are. This year, House is all geared up for the major release “Dawn of Cataclysm”, promising a fresh blend of Rock, Metal, Jazz, Funk and whatnot(thus the name “Hybrid Rock”). Scheduled for a 15 October release through Squank Entertainment, I was lucky to get my hands on this album early so that I can write my heart out! Without further ado, let’s jump right into it, shall we!!!

Sitting through the album for the very first time was very enchanting and rewarding. Individually – guitars, drums, and vocals were just brilliant, and the execution can’t get any better than this. The nice polished production works well with how the instrumentation is set up – heavy, yet not “gut-wrenchingly heavy”. While I prefer unclean vocals, there’s something about “Dawn of the Cataclysm” that made me like and sing along to the clean vocals. Especially the chorus of the second track “Know End Insight”. The guitar work is exquisite, and the drums are set up in a way the guitars retain the centre-stage in driving forward the vocals, but at the same time making the listeners observe the shifts in patterns and rudiments. Genius!

A lot is going on in the album, that if you skip a track in between, you are missing some of the best parts. It is safe to assume that the album has something to rejoice for everyone. If you are a fan of straightforward rock, then the first set of tracks including the opening track “Across the Uncanny Valley” would keep you busy, however, if you like something different and “funky” – “Despicable Doublethink” would get a few additional listens(just for that perfect bass section). If it was Guitars doing the most talking in almost all of the track, it would be the Bass taking it home in “Despicable Doublethink”. In my opinion, it is the best track on this album! I mean, the track even has some synth sections in between. Isn’t that creative!

The review would be incomplete if the lyrical aspect of the album is not discussed. With a name like “Dawn of Cataclysm”, it should be evident that the topic of discussion would be things that are not so pleasing…House weighed in on the themes ranging from climate change, plastic pollution, war, corruption, to artificial intelligence. At first, I thought “Hybrid Rock” may not be the best form of commentary, but House just made it compelling!

Not going to lie, not expectations were close to zero going into the album. But now, I think this album might as well end up as one of the best rock releases this year. House has just created a musical masterpiece, which I’m sure will be a benchmark in his career. I mean, I have gone through the album a good 3 to 4 times, and I still don’t find anything that takes away its beauty. I’ll surely be on the lookout for more releases from Squanky Kong, and House.

Tracklist:

1. Across the Uncanny Valley
2. Know End Insight
3. The Gadget
4. Parade the Plastic Planet
5. Despicable Doublethink
6. War by Proxy
7. Traitors in the Midst
8. We Make the World

Line-up:

James Michael House – Guitar, Six-String Bass, and Synthesizer
Featured Musicians:
Lamar Little – Drums
Leah Martin-Brown – Vocals
Brad Schecter – Vocals
DEROSNEC – Vocals
Vin Corrigan – Vocals
Joseph Wooten – Organ and Synthesizer
Craig Huxley – Organ

Rate: 9.0/10