Back in March, Aqueous guitarist Mike Gantzer revealed Death Kings, a new musical collaboration between himself, Ryan Stasik (Umphrey’s McGee), and Mikey Carubba (Turkuaz). The metal power trio gave industrious fans a glimpse of the group with a demo version of “Fight“, a track only available on Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast that will appear in its finished form on the band’s debut album out this fall.
On Wednesday, Death Kings finally made their music available to the masses with the wide release of their debut single, “March of the Kings”.
Formed during the pandemic, Death Kings pays homage to the heavy influences that manifest themselves through each artist’s respective catalog. Stasik and Gantzer have previously collaborated on the Green Day tribute project Dookie alongside Stasik’s UM bandmate, drummer Kris Myers, but Death Kings goes even further with original, hard-driving, heavy metal compositions.
Death Kings is more than just a band, it’s a lifestyle manifesting itself as each member adds some stage flair to their names: “Uncle” Mike “Muerto” Gantzer, Ryan “Little King” Stasik, and Mikey “Ox” Carubba. With “March of the Kings”, the band makes a definitive opening statement from the moment the Motörhead-inspired riff hits the speakers.
Listen to the debut single from Death Kings, “March of the Kings”, via the Spotify player below. Look out for a Death Kings album coming out this fall and catch the band’s debut performance at Summer Camp Music Festival on Sunday, August 22nd at 12:30 a.m. at the Soulshine Tent.
Death Kings – “March of the Kings”