THEM DAMN KINGS – Stronger Than Before

New Jersey native Jef Rhodes’ project, Them Damn Kings have returned to the scene with the release, Stronger Than Before. This is Them Damn King’s second album since their 2022 release, Rise Up. The album was produced, by Jef Rhodes with a release date of August 29, 2025 as an independent release. Joining Jef in the recording of Stronger Than Before, is fellow New Jersey native Cooper Hughes (drums). Them Damn Kings originated as a one-man project as a result of Jef Rhode’s labor of love utilizing decades worth of experience as a backline tech touring with bands such as Opeth, Lacuna Coil, and Cradle of Filth to name a few. Jef is also a long-time professional Front of House engineer.

Stronger Than Before

Stronger Than Before, as the title suggests, focuses on themes of resilience, overcoming obstacles and overall finding strength to overcome setbacks. Direct inspiration for the album resulted when hurricane Idalia destroyed the band’s touring equipment and merchandise in August of 2023. The album is a no frills, in your face riff-festival from start to finish. The album opens with the title track, “Stronger Than Before” with a mid-tempo hard driving fist pumping riff that is an ode to overcoming personal setbacks. The album keeps the mid to up-tempo riffs over the next three songs with Jef’s gritty vocal delivery with a little rasp that drives home the attitude of the songs. “Amber Eyes” drops the tempo to a mid-1990’s grunge sound and a heavy chorus that gives the song a bit of an Alice in Chains feel. “Wanna Be” has the making of being a crowd pleaser with the easy to sing along chorus of “I wanna be anybody but me!”.

Assessment

Stronger Than Before spans 9 songs clocking in just under 37 minutes with most songs averaging around three and a half minutes. What you get with these songs are hard hitting riffs, good solos, and the right attitude that keeps this album from charting into angry dad / divorced dad rock territory. What you will not get with this album is extended jam sessions. The production is superb on this album as every element of the guitars, bass, drums, and vocals feel very balanced. Jef’s delivery is direct, expressive at the right moments and easy to understand what is being sung.

One criticism of this album is that it feels out of balance. The first third of the album has a different feeling compared to the rest of the album. The first four songs have a similar feel. The last five songs that really show off the band’s ability to infuse different dynamics into the songs. “Amber Eyes” opens with clean guitars of “Amber Eyes”, the fist pounding beat of “Wanna Be”, and “Burn” which brings a southern sludgy feel to the opening riff. Despite this criticism, this is a very solid album. Standout tracks include the anthemic title track, “Stronger Than Before”, “Wanna Be” which is a fun song, and “Burn” with its hard-hitting riff that will cause some heads to bang.

Stronger Than Before is recommended for fans of Motörhead, Newstead and 1990’s hard rock fans.

Lineup

Jef Rhodes – Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Cooper Hughes – Drums

Track Listing

1. Stronger than Before
2. The Mighty
3. Fantasy
4. Selfish Game
5. Amber Eyes
6. Your Lies
7. Wanna Be
8. Burn
9. Never Ends