Search - Katmandu :: Katmandu

3.5 stars - Dave King, post-Fastway and pre-Flogging Molly

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 06/17/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Katmandu was a one-off project put together by former Fastway vocalist Dave King along with Krokus guitarist Mandy Meyer. Looking at the band photo, one might be led to dismiss this disc as yet another hair-metal band, but Katmandu is something a bit more interesting.



To be sure, there are a fair amount of pop-metal elements here, but the band adds a liberal dose of blues and a willingness to experiment. How else can you explain a cover of U2's "God Part II" following a barroom rawker like "The Way You Make Me Feel?" That bluesy swagger is a nice contrast to the bright shiny production that most of that era's albums had. The closest points of comparison are Cinderella's Heartbreak Station album and perhaps Crimson Glory's Strange & Beautiful. Comparisons to Fastway are inevitable as well, given King's distinctive vocal style.



For whatever reason, Katmandu didn't last, though King and Meyer went on to bigger and better things. King, of course, reinvented himself and found fame with Flogging Molly, and Meyer joined the very popular (at least in Europe) Gotthard.



All in all, Katmandu is a quality rock album that should please most late 80's to early 90's rock & metal fans. It certainly stands the test of time better than the average Dangerous Toys or Bulletboys disc.



Track Listing:



1. The Way You Make Me Feel

2. God, Part II

3. Love Hurts

4. Sometime Again

5. When the Rain Comes

6. Heart & Soul

7. Ready for the Common Man

8. Only the Good Die Young

9. Let the Heartache Begin

10. Medicine Man

11. Pull Together

12. Warzone"

Katmandu - self-titled (Epic/Sony)

Mike Reed | USA | 11/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sole album by,apparently a very short-lived heavy rock&roll band that featured former Fastway vocalist/frontman Dave King.Never did hear ANYTHING about Katmandu about a year after the release of this disc.I do,however remember seeing an Mtv interview on Headbanger's Ball where they were gearing up for a tour of Japan and the promoters wanted them to play ninety minute sets for each gig.After that,NOTHING ever again.On tracks like "The Way You Make Me Feel","When The Rain Comes" and "Warzone" one can certainly hear King's most recognizable vocals.Make no mistake about that.Anyone know what King is doing these days?A worthy forgotten early '90's metal title to check out when you can."

The Old Dave King was great !

Hard Rocker | Sao Paulo, SP Brazil | 11/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like so much Fastway and Katmandu. Actually he is singning Folk in a band called: "Flogging Molly" in Irland, but I don't like Folk. You can look for the official website here: http://www.26f.com/

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