Kingdom Come (Sir Lord Baltimore album)

Writing and recording

All of the songs on Kingdom Come were co-written and arranged by Mike Appel, who would later become Bruce Springsteen's manager. Co-produced by Appel and Jim Cretecos, the album was recorded at Vantone Studios in West Orange, New Jersey, before being mixed by Eddie Kramer and Kim King at Electric Lady Studios in New York, New York. Kramer is well known for his work with Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Curtis Mayfield.

Musical style

This album is notable for the fact that its 1971 review in Creem contains an early documented use of the term "heavy metal" to refer to a style of music. It features very fast-paced, rhythm and blues-based rock 'n' roll with high levels of distortion in the guitar and, in some cases, the bass. Baltimore's heavy style can be compared to early Black Sabbath, the Stooges and MC5. Kingdom Come also makes extensive use of multi-tracking to enhance the guitar sound.

Release

Kingdom Come was released in December 1970.

It was reissued on PolyGram in 1994, on Red Fox in 2003, and on Anthology Recordings in 2007. The 1994 and 2003 re-releases also contained 1971's Sir Lord Baltimore.

Reception

Kingdom Come has received acclaim from critics and its influence on heavy metal music is well-noted.

In his retrospective review, Marcos Hassan of Tiny Mix Tapes called it "[one] of those great records where not a second is wasted".

Track listing

Anthology Recordings' 2007 re-release contains an altered track listing, transposing sides A and B of the original record. (Polygram and Red Fox's reissues also used this track listing.)

Personnel