Out of the Silent Planet (album)

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Out of the Silent Planet
Out of the silent planet album cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 28, 1988
StudioRampart Studios, Houston, Texas
Genre Hard rock, progressive metal
Length42:23
Label Megaforce
Producer Sam Taylor, King's X, Jon Zazula, Marsha Zazula
King's X chronology
Sneak Preview
(1983)
Out of the Silent Planet
(1988)
Gretchen Goes to Nebraska
(1989)

Out of the Silent Planet is the debut studio album by the American rock band King's X, released in 1988. [1] The title of the album comes from that of a book by C. S. Lewis, an author favored by band members Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill. "Out of the Silent Planet" is also the title of the first track from the follow-up album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska . The cover art features the skyline of Houston with the southern outline of the state of Texas. The album received widespread acclaim from music contemporaries. Pantera bassist Rex Brown commented of his and Dimebag Darrell's impressions, noting "Dime called me and said, 'Dude, have you heard this? Have you checked out King's X?'" He says. "We went on a long road trip, and we must have listened to that first record I don't know how many times, and we couldn't stop! This was the sound that Dime and I were always looking for." [2]

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal 9/10 [4]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [5]

The Houston Chronicle noted that "the playing is ferocious, unencumbered with studio trickery, and the emerging vision elevates this music into its own sphere... If it 'has' to considered heavy metal, it is the most original metal since Van Halen burst on the scene 10 years ago." [6]

Track listing

All songs written by Gaskill, Pinnick and Tabor, except "Sometimes" and "Far, Far Away" written by Pinnick, Tabor, Gaskill and Marty Warren.

No.TitleLength
1."In the New Age"5:23
2."Goldilox"4:41
3."Power of Love"4:57
4."Wonder"4:13
5."Sometimes"3:40
6."King"3:01
7."What Is This?"3:48
8."Far, Far Away"4:14
9."Shot of Love"3:15
10."Visions"5:11

Personnel

King's X
Production

Charts

Album
YearChartPeak
position
1988 Billboard 200 (US) [7] 144

Accolades

PublicationCountryAccoladeYearRank
Kerrang! United Kingdom "Albums of the Year" [8] 19881
Classic Rock & Metal Hammer United Kingdom "The 200 Greatest Albums of the 80s" [9] 2006*

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's X</span> American rock band

King's X is an American rock band formed in Springfield, Missouri in 1979. They were first called the Edge and later became Sneak Preview before settling on their current name in 1985. The band's current lineup has remained intact for more than four decades, consisting of vocalist and bassist Doug Pinnick, drummer Jerry Gaskill and guitarist Ty Tabor. Their music combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. Despite a largely underground reputation as the "musician's musicians", King's X was pivotal in the early development of progressive metal, and produced a series of early records considered essential within the genre. The band's lyrics are largely based on the members' struggles with religion and self-acceptance. King's X was ranked No. 83 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.

<i>Dogman</i> (album) 1994 studio album by Kings X

Dogman is the fifth studio album by American rock band King's X, released in 1994. It marks the band's second album under Atlantic and their first to not be produced by Sam Taylor; instead, the album was produced by Brendan O'Brien. Dogman signaled a heavier direction for King's X and, with strong approval from both critics and fans, is often considered one of their best works.

<i>Kings X</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Kings X

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<i>Ear Candy</i> (Kings X album) 1996 studio album by Kings X

Ear Candy is the sixth studio album by American rock band King's X, released in 1996. It was produced by Arnold Lanni and King's X.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Pinnick</span> American bassist and singer

Douglas Theodore Pinnick, sometimes stylized as dUg Pinnick or simply dUg, is an American musician best known as the bass guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and songwriter for the hard rock and progressive metal band King's X. He has performed on 15 albums with King's X and recorded four solo albums. Pinnick has also participated in numerous side projects and has multiple guest appearances to his credit. He is recognized for his unique vocals, and heavily distorted bass tone. Pinnick often plays bass with a guitar pick, though he has also been seen using his fingers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Tabor</span> American musician

Ty Tabor is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist for the hard rock band King's X. Tabor has a wide-ranging guitar style, from big guitar riffs to middling melodic passages. His use of volume swells and ambient passages add an elemental texture to his compositions. He names his main influences as the Beatles, Allan Holdsworth, Johnny Winter, Ace Frehley, Mel Galley, Brian May, Alex Lifeson, Phil Keaggy, and the original Alice Cooper band. In 2008, Tabor was added to the guitar show "Chop Shop's" list of "Top 100 Most Complete Guitar Players of All Time" at number 84.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Gaskill</span> American drummer

Jerry Wayne Gaskill is an American rock musician who is the drummer for King's X.

<i>Gretchen Goes to Nebraska</i> 1989 studio album by Kings X

Gretchen Goes to Nebraska is the second studio album by American rock band King's X. It is a concept album based on a short story written by drummer Jerry Gaskill. Having received strong critical praise and fan support, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska is considered among the best work of King's X and a seminal record within the progressive metal genre.

<i>Faith Hope Love</i> 1990 studio album by Kings X

Faith Hope Love is the third studio album by the American rock band King's X. "Six Broken Soldiers" is the first King's X song to feature drummer Jerry Gaskill on lead vocals.

<i>Best of Kings X</i> 1997 compilation album by Kings X

Best of King's X is a compilation album by American rock band King's X. The songs on this compilation, spanning a decade of discography, were selected by fans in an online poll.

<i>Tape Head</i> 1998 studio album by Kings X

Tape Head is the seventh studio album by American rock band King's X, released in 1998 via Metal Blade Records.

<i>Please Come Home... Mr. Bulbous</i> 2000 studio album by Kings X

Please Come Home... Mr. Bulbous is the eighth studio album by American rock band King's X. It was released in 2000 via Metal Blade Records.

<i>Manic Moonlight</i> 2001 studio album by Kings X

Manic Moonlight is the ninth studio album by American rock band King's X, released in 2001 via Metal Blade Records. The album was notable for its inclusion of electronic loops.

<i>Black Like Sunday</i> 2003 studio album by Kings X

Black Like Sunday is the tenth studio album by American rock band King's X. The songs on this album are rare and originally unreleased recordings that were re-recorded by fan demand. The cover was painted by a fan that won a contest.

<i>Live All Over the Place</i> 2004 live album by Kings X

Live All Over the Place, released in 2004, is the first official live album by King's X. A double CD set, it was also the band's final album for Metal Blade Records. It was the twelfth King's X album release.

<i>XV</i> (Kings X album) 2008 studio album by Kings X

XV is the twelfth studio album by American rock band King's X, released in May 2008. It is the band's second album after 2005's Ogre Tones to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 145. The album also charted on the Independent Albums chart and Billboard Comprehensive Albums. The Roman numeral XV means 15, as this is their 15th album, counting live albums and compilations. Although King's X had continued to be active in the years after its release, XV was the band's last studio album until the 2022 release of their follow-up record Three Sides of One.

<i>Ogre Tones</i> 2005 studio album by Kings X

Ogre Tones is the 11th full-length studio album by American rock band King's X. Released in 2005, it is their first record on the Inside Out Music label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Flag (song)</span> 1992 single by Kings X

"Black Flag" is a song by the American rockband King's X. It was released as a single in support of their 1992 self-titled album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dogman (song)</span> 1994 single by Kings X

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<i>Three Sides of One</i> 2022 studio album by Kings X

Three Sides of One is the 13th studio album by American rock band King's X, released on September 2, 2022, through Inside Out Music. It is their first studio album in fourteen years, since 2008's XV, marking the longest gap between two studio albums in their career.

References

  1. Phillips, William; Cogan, Brian (2009). Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music. ABC-CLIO. p. 131.
  2. "Offbeat Rock Trailblazers King's X Get a Book Worthy of Their Unique Saga". Rolling Stone . February 26, 2019.
  3. Rivadavia, Eduardo. Out of the Silent Planet King's X at AllMusic. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  4. Popoff, Martin (November 1, 2005). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 186. ISBN   978-1-894959-31-5.
  5. Hotten, Jon (March 19, 1988). "King's X - 'Out of the Silent Planet'". Kerrang! . No. 179.
  6. Racine, Marty (May 22, 1988). "Records". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 11.
  7. "King's X Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Billboard . Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  8. "Kerrang! - Albums of the Year". Kerrang! . Retrieved April 8, 2008.
  9. "The 200 Greatest Albums of the 80s", Classic Rock & Metal Hammer presents 1980s, Classic Rock & Metal Hammer , retrieved April 16, 2008