A feeling of urgency goes a long way for any band with its roots in punk. More than a decade into their career, the members of KEN Mode found themselves at a turning point: devote whatever time they could to touring and recording, or quit their day jobs and focus solely on their band. They chose the latter, and the result is KEN Mode's blistering fourth album, Venerable.
"The Book of Muscle," the record's opening track, toys with the familiar loud-quiet-loud song structure by opting to simply go from loud to louder. The onslaught created by the pounding drums, muscular bass line and howled vocals of the intro are soon joined by guitars that swing from down-tuned chugging to twangy screeches — KEN Mode's three members seem to be egging each other on to see who can make the most aggressive and pummeling sounds.
The band's name is taken from Henry Rollins' tour diary, Get in the Van: On the Road With Black Flag: "The shows were great. Kill Everyone Now was the agenda. KEN mode all the time." After hearing "The Book of Muscle," it's clear that KEN Mode drew its name and its musical philosophy from one of hardcore's founding fathers.
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