Out of the Silent Planet | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 28, 1988 | |||
Studio | Rampart Studios, Houston, Texas | |||
Genre | Hard rock, progressive metal | |||
Length | 42:23 | |||
Label | Megaforce | |||
Producer | Sam Taylor, King's X, Jon Zazula, Marsha Zazula | |||
King's X chronology | ||||
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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]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [3] |
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 9/10 [4] |
Kerrang! | [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]
All songs written by Gaskill, Pinnick and Tabor, except "Sometimes" and "Far, Far Away" written by Pinnick, Tabor, Gaskill and Marty Warren.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
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 |
Year | Chart | Peak position |
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1988 | Billboard 200 (US) [7] | 144 |
Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kerrang! | United Kingdom | "Albums of the Year" [8] | 1988 | 1 |
Classic Rock & Metal Hammer | United Kingdom | "The 200 Greatest Albums of the 80s" [9] | 2006 | * |
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.
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.
King's X is the fourth studio album by American rock band King's X, released in 1992 through Atlantic Records. The album marked the end of the band's relationship with producer Sam Taylor.
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.
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.
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.
Jerry Wayne Gaskill is an American rock musician who is the drummer for King's 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.
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.
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.
Tape Head is the seventh studio album by American rock band King's X, released in 1998 via Metal Blade Records.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
"Dogman" is a song by the American rock band King's X. It was released as a single in support of their 1994 album Dogman.
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.