Kidd Robin is a Melodic Power Metal band from Spokane, Washington that formed back in 1989. The band's sound draws comparison to artists like Queensrÿche, Recon, and Sacred Warrior. Kidd Robin's arrangements capture everything that is great about Melodic Metal music with soaring vocals, all the right hooks, electrifying guitar work, plenty of time changes, and poundin' drum lines. The band's original line-up was comprised of vocalist/keyboardist-Daniel Votino, lead guitarist-Lee Houk, rhythm/acoustic guitarist-Robin Skouge, bassist-Doug Smith, and drummer-John Silver.
I was able to catch up with vocalist-Darin Hilderbrand who had the following to say: "Dan Votino was the original singer. They recorded a few songs on an old 4-track cassette machine which they submitted to local radio stations. The song "How Long" got some local air play and they won a "battle of the bands" contest and created a pretty good local following. Danny left the band in 1992 and I stepped in shortly thereafter. Jon Silver and Doug Smith both quit the band the day after my first rehearsal. A real ego boost right? I was the singer and bass player from then on. It’s my voice on both the '94 4-track demo and the full album. Jeffery Van Blaricum was the drummer from ’92-’94. That was him on the 4 song EP. Derek Davis came in and was the drummer from ’94 - ‘98 when we disbanded."
Kidd Robin's 1994 4-track demo recording was produced on CD format and released on the label Byus Digilogical Harmelodies. The track-list for their demo included 1.Never Stop 2.Emotions 3.Lost 4.Rokkin'.
With the band forming in the 90's, they found themselves in an unfamiliar flannel-wearing Grunge/Alternative music scene where Metal bands were viewed as a thing of the past. However, Kidd Robin was on a mission and would not be deterred nor would they let the changing music scene dictate what the band should sound like.
Not long after the release of their EP demo, Kidd Robin stepped back into the studio to begin work on new material for a full-length album.
I was able to catch up with vocalist-Darin Hilderbrand who had the following to say: "Dan Votino was the original singer. They recorded a few songs on an old 4-track cassette machine which they submitted to local radio stations. The song "How Long" got some local air play and they won a "battle of the bands" contest and created a pretty good local following. Danny left the band in 1992 and I stepped in shortly thereafter. Jon Silver and Doug Smith both quit the band the day after my first rehearsal. A real ego boost right? I was the singer and bass player from then on. It’s my voice on both the '94 4-track demo and the full album. Jeffery Van Blaricum was the drummer from ’92-’94. That was him on the 4 song EP. Derek Davis came in and was the drummer from ’94 - ‘98 when we disbanded."
Kidd Robin's 1994 4-track demo recording was produced on CD format and released on the label Byus Digilogical Harmelodies. The track-list for their demo included 1.Never Stop 2.Emotions 3.Lost 4.Rokkin'.
With the band forming in the 90's, they found themselves in an unfamiliar flannel-wearing Grunge/Alternative music scene where Metal bands were viewed as a thing of the past. However, Kidd Robin was on a mission and would not be deterred nor would they let the changing music scene dictate what the band should sound like.
Not long after the release of their EP demo, Kidd Robin stepped back into the studio to begin work on new material for a full-length album.
In 1996 Kidd Robin released their debut full-length album titled 'The Inevitable Return of the Dinosaur Monster' on Byus Digilogical Harmelodies. Bass and drums were recorded in Seattle at Triad Studios while guitars, vocals, and other instruments were all recorded in Spokane, Washington at the band member's own home studios. This debut album was produced by Tom Hall(engineer for many Queensrÿche albums) and I must say that the production is really good on this independent release. The band's line-up for 'The Inevitable Return of the Dinosaur Monster' was comprised of lead vocalist/Bassist-Darin Hilderbrand, guitarist-Robin Skouge, guitarist-Lee Houk, and drummer-Derek Davis.
The band's debut features all 4-tracks from their '94 demo and the track-list includes 1.Not Falling 2.Prelude In E Major 3.Be There 4.What Now? 5.Questions 6.Go 7.Sidewalk Cowboy 8.Blood Red 9.Never Stop 10.Lost 11.Reprise 12.A Little Bit Of Something 13.Emotions 14.How Long? 15.Flannel Shirt 16.Rokkin'.
'The Inevitable Return of the Dinosaur Monster' leans more towards the Power Metal genre while mixing things up with a number of straight forward Metal tracks and rounding things out with a few acoustic tracks.
One song that stands out is track-14 "How Long?" where we find the addition of the piano added to the band's arrangements. The piano work on "How Long?" adds an extra element of emotion to the song helping make this one of the stronger tracks on the album. While listening to this album, one will discover that the band has a sense of humor because throughout the disc there are tidbits of fun quirky-humorous extras. Then there's
track-15 "Flannel Shirt" which pokes fun at the whole 90's Grunge scene in a fun way of course.
The band's debut features all 4-tracks from their '94 demo and the track-list includes 1.Not Falling 2.Prelude In E Major 3.Be There 4.What Now? 5.Questions 6.Go 7.Sidewalk Cowboy 8.Blood Red 9.Never Stop 10.Lost 11.Reprise 12.A Little Bit Of Something 13.Emotions 14.How Long? 15.Flannel Shirt 16.Rokkin'.
'The Inevitable Return of the Dinosaur Monster' leans more towards the Power Metal genre while mixing things up with a number of straight forward Metal tracks and rounding things out with a few acoustic tracks.
One song that stands out is track-14 "How Long?" where we find the addition of the piano added to the band's arrangements. The piano work on "How Long?" adds an extra element of emotion to the song helping make this one of the stronger tracks on the album. While listening to this album, one will discover that the band has a sense of humor because throughout the disc there are tidbits of fun quirky-humorous extras. Then there's
track-15 "Flannel Shirt" which pokes fun at the whole 90's Grunge scene in a fun way of course.
Frontman-Darin Hilderbrand offers up a strong vocal performance on 'TIROTDM' drawing comparison to vocalists Geoff Tate(Queensrÿche) & Vett Roberts(Recon). Votino shows a lot of control with his vocal delivery helping to make this project one worth looking into for your Metal collection.
Lee Houk began learning to play the guitar at an early age, and when he had reached the tender age of fifteen, he had already become somewhat a prodigy with the electric guitar. One of Lee Houk's greatest influences was guitarist-Randy Rhoads of the 80's Metal band Quiet Riot. On a side note, Lee was also really gifted in the area of electronics and was always found in his basement building guitars, amps, & speakers.
On this 1996 recording, shredders - Lee Houk & Robin Skouge both handle lead to rhythm guitar duties showing their prowess from track to track while moving in and out from Power Metal riffs to 80's style shred'n to even some Spanish acoustic guitar play. In addition, Lee offers up a number of memorial fretboard solos for the guitar aficionado to sink their teeth into.
On this 1996 recording, shredders - Lee Houk & Robin Skouge both handle lead to rhythm guitar duties showing their prowess from track to track while moving in and out from Power Metal riffs to 80's style shred'n to even some Spanish acoustic guitar play. In addition, Lee offers up a number of memorial fretboard solos for the guitar aficionado to sink their teeth into.
Overall, the album's lyrics are more on the subtle side but show
a love for Christ as one can see in the following excerpts:
a love for Christ as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Not Falling"
I'm not falling
God's got His hands on me
I'm not falling
Till His day, I'll be under His protection
When I start feeling helpless and I start sliding back
I need Your Word to remind me
Through You I have the strength to resist the attack
Heaven and earth shall pass away
But God's Holy Word will never fade
Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might
Put on the armor walk in the light
Submit yourself therefore to God
Resist the devil he will flee from you
And if you will draw near to God
He will draw near to you
"Be There"
If it's where you're gonna be
Then why don't you come along and sing
Woe owe owe owe!
I'm gonna be there
When the saints go marchin' in
Woe owe owe owe!
I'm gonna be there
When the saints go marchin' in
"Lost"
Give me your hand
Together we'll walk through the shifting sand
I won't look back
I've fallen before but with your strength I can stand
Hold me tonight
When fear creeps in to invade my mind
In the morning I know You will still be here by my side
Now I know you are the place where my heart belongs
How can I show
You are the heart I misplaced for so long
Lost in Your love
I'm so glad that I found
Lost in Your love
You are the One
There's no one I'd rather be around
"Reprise"
(Reprise of the song "Lost")
Lost in Your love
From above
And I know that I'll go that I'll walk to the valley
And walk through the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For You have picked me up
And set my feet on solid ground
Without you I would have drowned
"How Long?"
Can't you see, your hurting you and Me
My love will fill you
Why don't you ask and you'll see...
I've always loved you
Why can't you, can't you see
I'll never leave you
If you'd only believe
I'm not falling
God's got His hands on me
I'm not falling
Till His day, I'll be under His protection
When I start feeling helpless and I start sliding back
I need Your Word to remind me
Through You I have the strength to resist the attack
Heaven and earth shall pass away
But God's Holy Word will never fade
Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might
Put on the armor walk in the light
Submit yourself therefore to God
Resist the devil he will flee from you
And if you will draw near to God
He will draw near to you
"Be There"
If it's where you're gonna be
Then why don't you come along and sing
Woe owe owe owe!
I'm gonna be there
When the saints go marchin' in
Woe owe owe owe!
I'm gonna be there
When the saints go marchin' in
"Lost"
Give me your hand
Together we'll walk through the shifting sand
I won't look back
I've fallen before but with your strength I can stand
Hold me tonight
When fear creeps in to invade my mind
In the morning I know You will still be here by my side
Now I know you are the place where my heart belongs
How can I show
You are the heart I misplaced for so long
Lost in Your love
I'm so glad that I found
Lost in Your love
You are the One
There's no one I'd rather be around
"Reprise"
(Reprise of the song "Lost")
Lost in Your love
From above
And I know that I'll go that I'll walk to the valley
And walk through the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For You have picked me up
And set my feet on solid ground
Without you I would have drowned
"How Long?"
Can't you see, your hurting you and Me
My love will fill you
Why don't you ask and you'll see...
I've always loved you
Why can't you, can't you see
I'll never leave you
If you'd only believe
Unfortunately, due the changing 90's music scene, Kidd Robin did not get the recognition that the band really deserved. Today, it seems that the the band has been lost and buried in the annals of history with little known about the group today. I believe that if the band had come along during the 80's golden years, they would have been better received & better known today within the Metal community.
Kidd Robin is for fans of Queensrÿche, Sacred Warrior, and Recon. If you are looking for a rare underground gem to add to your collection then check out what Kidd Robin has brought to the table with their debut release 'The Inevitable Return of the Dinosaur Monster'.
Purchases can be made at the following link:
Musicians:
’92-’94
Darin Hilderbrand - Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar (Jazz guitar solo on "Reprise")
Robin Skouge - Lead Guitars, Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals (Flamenco Spanish Guitar on "Reprise")
Lee Houk - Rhythm Guitars, Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals
Jeffery Van Blaricum - Drums, Backing Vocals
’94-98
Darin Hilderbrand - Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar
Robin Skouge - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Lee Houk - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Derek Davis - Drums, Backing Vocals
’92-’94
Darin Hilderbrand - Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar (Jazz guitar solo on "Reprise")
Robin Skouge - Lead Guitars, Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals (Flamenco Spanish Guitar on "Reprise")
Lee Houk - Rhythm Guitars, Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals
Jeffery Van Blaricum - Drums, Backing Vocals
’94-98
Darin Hilderbrand - Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar
Robin Skouge - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Lee Houk - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Derek Davis - Drums, Backing Vocals