Kingdom Come (British band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Arthur Brown |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums |
Kingdom Come was a British rock ensemble fronted by Arthur Brown, recognized for his dramatic operatic singing style and a fusion of psychedelic and progressive rock elements. Although they found some success within the UK festival scene, the band faced disappointing record sales, lukewarm critical reception, and insufficient promotional efforts—particularly in the United States—which ultimately led to their disbandment in 1974.
In the North American market, they were promoted under the name Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come to avoid confusion with a German group sharing the same name. Despite limited commercial impact, their 1973 release Journey has received favorable reviews in hindsight. Music critics often regard it as groundbreaking, especially for being one of the earliest rock albums to incorporate a drum machine, an innovative technology at that time.
Band history
After the dissolution of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown in 1969, Arthur Brown worked with various artists before establishing Kingdom Come, with guitarist Andy Dalby remaining as the sole other constant member alongside Brown.
The initial lineup for their debut record Galactic Zoo Dossier featured Julian Paul Brown on synthesizer, Michael "Goodge" Harris handling keyboards, Desmond Fisher playing bass, and Martin "Slim" Steer on drums. They performed at the 1971 Glastonbury Festival and were included in its documentary film. By the time they recorded their second album, Kingdom Come, personnel shifts had occurred: Julian Paul Brown had left, Phil Shutt replaced Fisher on bass, and Steer was succeeded mid-1972 by a drum machine. Prior to their last album Journey, Harris departed and was replaced by American keyboardist Victor Peraino.
Brown characterized their three albums as a conceptual trilogy: the first explored humanity's present condition; the second delved into the human animal and the mind-body relationship; while the third centered on cosmic and spiritual themes.
The band made extensive use of synthesizers including the VCS3, Mellotron, and theremin—especially following Peraino’s arrival. Their final album Journey, recorded in November 1972, notably omitted a live drummer entirely; all percussion was produced using the Bentley Rhythm Ace drum machine, marking it as one of the pioneering records to rely solely on electronic drums.
Kingdom Come's breakup was influenced by disappointing sales figures, critical disregard, ongoing lineup instability, and Brown’s growing disenchantment with the music business. They ceased activity without an official announcement as Brown pursued a simpler musical direction and lifestyle. Subsequently, Peraino returned to Detroit where he released No Man's Land (1975) under Victor Peraino's Kingdom Come and later issued Journey in Time (2014), which featured Brown on several tracks.
Studio albums
- Galactic Zoo Dossier (Polydor, October 1971)
- Kingdom Come (Polydor, October 1972)
- Journey (Polydor, April 1973)
- Jam (Voiceprint, 1995; recorded in 1970)
Compilations
- The Lost Ears (Gull, 1976)
- Eternal Messenger (An Anthology 1970–1973) (5CD box set) (Esoteric Recordings, 2021)
Bibliography
- Marshall, Polly. The God Of Hellfire, the Crazy Life and Times of Arthur Brown. SAF Publishing. .