Kings Among Runaways (self-released)
facebook.com/theapproachandtheexecution
This local hard rock band describes its music as "epic metal." It's a fitting description as its dense, progressive rock-based music recalls the metal of yesteryear (think a more accessible Iron Maiden or Megadeth), and the vocals are sung rather than screamed. Funded by a Kickstarter campaign, this sophomore effort shows the band's evolution. The guitar riffs in "Faith Aligned" are truly explosive and never let up even as the song stretches past the seven-minute mark. Alternating vocal styles makes tunes such as "Ghost Pilot" and "Hymn of Victory" sound a bit out of whack. But that's a minor quibble with an otherwise impressive effort. — Jeff Niesel
The Approach and the Execution performs with Deadiron, Ruins of Tekoah, Purveyors of Fiction and Caves at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at the Agora Ballroom.
