Every once in a while a band bursts onto the heavy metal scene like a speeding locomotive; and now in the year 2014 there appears to be an unwritten rule that a band's music should take a backseat to either a gimmick or tragic background story.

So without further ado - introducing 'the next big thing' KING 810, hailing from the dangerous, crime-laden city of Flint, Michigan. They are one such band riding a media maelstrom the likes of which hasn't been since Bullet For My Valentine and Bring Me The Horizon began bursting through the ranks in the late Noughties.

For some of you this fearsome foursome may need no introduction at all, you've might have known about them since the summer when they were due to play Download Festival in June, however were unable to honour their commitment due to two members of the band being arrested at the Flint, MI airport. This comes as no surprise considering the bands notorious reputation before that announcement was even made...the bands history is riddled with arrests, prison sentences and court orders. So now it seems that the band are focused and firmly have their feet planted on the path to righteousness and have 'treated' us all to their debut album 'Memoirs of a Murderer' - a diary of events that encapsulates the life of frontman David Gunn. But is it actually any good?

The album opens with 'Kill Em All', a soaring, murderous anthem that is a sign of things to come - pro-violence lyrical themes throughout layered on top of repetitive, clunky riffs and drumming reminiscent of a thunderstorm. It's intense stuff that's for sure, fresh but feels all very familiar at the same time. Next up is 'Best Nite Of My Life' which takes the pace up a notch, as well as the musical quality - a song that probably wouldn't be out of place on a collection of Hatebreed B-sides. 'Murder Murder Murder' could be mistaken for the evil side of Johnny Cash with it's Volbeat-like hillbilly vibe. Another banger is 'Fat Around The Heart'. A tune determined to grasp you by the jugular and haul you head first into the haven of violence that these men have lived through their whole lives. Succeeding with very little effort - it's a surreal and unpleasant journey. Then there's 'War Outside' that hints at some early Machine Head with a chorus that'll get audience fist's pumping and chanting along.

Album highlight 'Treading and Trodden' is a blazing furnace of rage where the band have nailed the rhythm and harmonies effortlessly. Soaring head and shoulders above the rest of the album it sounds huge and is catchy, it's just a shame the album can't sustain this level enjoyment for the listener. 'Desperate Lovers' tries hard but doesn't quite hit the mark.

At times it seems like the band have just picked up their instruments and recorded an unstructured racket...but there is a little more to it than that. One thing that this record possesses in abundance is atmosphere, and this is all credit to frontman, Gunn. His dark, brutish tone helps to lift otherwise lacklustre numbers to a whole new level. You can tell that the songs on this album were written by a character with a twisted mind, but at the same time someone that is very passionate about his origins and beliefs. His, and his band's, whole existence has been consolidated here into an hour-long compact disc.

A different, more emotional side to this shady human being shines through on softer ballad-like tracks 'Eyes' and 'Devil Don't Cry' where maybe David Gunn owes a few nods to FFDP's Ivan Moody. It's a sign that maybe this man isn't all about violence and murder after all. However the spoken word 'anatomy' interludes leave a lot to be desired, both are far too long and add little to the experience as a listener. If they really were necessary inclusions they would have benefitted from being at least half their current length.

Overall, 'Memoirs Of A Murderer' is a long and uncomfortable listen from the opening riff to the final grovel, and it certainly isn't going to satisfy everyone. In fact it may not appeal to many people at all due to the album's subject matter. It does have it's moments where the band prove their worth, and signing to Roadrunner Records alongside Slipknot and Black Stone Cherry certainly helps in lending some credibility to this release.

Labelled as this generation's Slipknot, this leaves KING 810 some mighty big shoes to fill (18 of them to be exact), and I'm not sure that this album does enough to justify that statement. At 68 minutes it's far too long and fundamentally will fail to captivate anyone other than angry teenagers. A real shame as some moments really shine through; hinting that better prospects could follow, only to quickly fall flat...

But hold on one second, don't write these guys off completely - this album needs to be heard by the metal community, even if it's just to form your own opinion of them. KING 810 have a story to tell, and they used music as the platform to release it to the world. You're either with them or against.