Sir Lord Baltimore - Kingdom Come (1970)

Artwork by Doug Taylor

Sir Lord Baltimore was an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, United States, formed in 1968 by lead vocalist/drummer John Garner, guitarist Louis Dambra, and bass player Gary Justin. Some have cited the 1971 review of their debut record, Kingdom Come, in Creem magazine as containing the first documented use of the term "heavy metal" to refer to
a style of music; the truth is the same reviewer used the term when reviewing a Humble Pie album in Rolling Stone six months earlier. Sir Lord Baltimore featured a drumming lead singer, traditionally a rarity in rock and metal music. The group have been called "the godfathers of stoner rock."

In 2006, Garner and Dambra reunited as Sir Lord Baltimore and released a new album, Sir Lord Baltimore III Raw. The reformed band featured an overt Christian focus and lyrics, an emphasis not found in their earlier work. Justin, no longer an active musician, did not participate. Garner died on December 5, 2015, of liver failure, ending the band.

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.

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. (from wikipedia)


Tracks:
1. Master Heartache
2. Hard Rain Fallin'
3. Lady of Fire
4. Lake Isle of Innersfree
5. Pumped Up
6. Kingdom Come
7. I Got a Woman
8. Hell Hound
9. Helium Head (I Got a Love)
10.Ain't Got Hung on You

Members:
Bass – Gary Justin
Drums, Lead Vocals – John Garner
Guitar – Louis Dambra


Credits:
Art Direction – Des Strobel
Artwork By – Doug Taylor
Design [Liner] – Wm. Falkenburg
Engineer – Eddie Kramer, Kim King
Executive-Producer – Dee Anthony
Photography – Joe Sia
Producer – Edwin H. Kramer, Jim Cretecos, Mike Appel

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