Out of the Silent Planet (1988) is the second studio album by the American rock band King's X, and their first release under the King's X moniker.
The title of the album comes from that of a book by C. S. Lewis, an author favored by band members Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill. "Out of the Silent Planet" is also the title of the first track from the follow-up album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska. The cover art features the skyline of Houston with the southern outline of the state of the band's home of Texas.
The album received widespread acclaim from critics and musical peers, but was a commercial disappointment. Bassist Rex Brown of commented on how he and Pantera bandmate Dimebag Darrell both admired the album and listened to it repeatedly while "on a long road trip", and added: "This was the sound that Dime and I were always looking for."
Critical reception
The Houston Chronicle noted that "the playing is ferocious, unencumbered with studio trickery, and the emerging vision elevates this music into its own sphere... If it 'has' to [be] considered heavy metal, it is the most original metal since Van Halen burst on the scene 10 years ago."
Track listing All songs written by Gaskill, Pinnick and Tabor, except "Sometimes" and "Far, Far Away" written by Pinnick, Tabor, Gaskill and Marty Warren.
Personnel King's X Doug Pinnick – bass, lead vocals Ty Tabor – guitars, backing vocals Jerry Gaskill – drums, backing vocals
Production Sam Taylor – production Steve Ames – engineering Bob Ludwig – mastering at Masterdisk, New York Jon Zazula, Marsha Zazula – executive producers
Charts Album YearChartPeakposition1988Billboard 200 (US)144
Accolades Publication Country Accolade Year Rank Kerrang! United Kingdom "Albums of the Year" 1988 1 Classic Rock & Metal Hammer United Kingdom "The 200 Greatest Albums of the 80s" 2006 *
References
External links Official King's X Site, Accessed on July 10, 2005. Additional Information about the album, Accessed on April 26, 2006. site francophone, Accessed on July 24, 2006.