"Review Zoo Checks Out Templeton Pek’s Anthemic ‘No Kings’ from New Album ‘Savages’"

Birmingham punk rock veterans Templeton Pek return with a vengeance on “No Kings,” one of the standout tracks from their blistering new album, Savages. Released via SBÄM Records, the band’s sixth studio album marks a bold and defiant chapter for the trio, and No Kings feels like its battle cry.

From the get-go, No Kings channels that familiar yet vital Templeton Pek energy — politically charged, emotionally honest, and razor-sharp in execution. The track wastes no time asserting itself, with gritty-yet-melodic vocals that walk a tightrope between fury and vulnerability. The chorus soars, full of urgency and power, backed by harmonies that add depth without sacrificing rawness.

One of the song’s most compelling strengths lies in its use of dynamics. Rather than running flat-out from start to finish, No Kings breathes. Stripped-back moments led by just drums and bass create tension and space, letting the guitar punch even harder when it re-enters. It’s a clever compositional move — one that shows a band fully in control of their craft.

Produced by George Perks (Enter Shikari, Skindred), the track has a sharp, modern edge without losing the DIY punk grit that fans have come to love. It’s polished where it needs to be, but never overly clean — there’s still dirt under its fingernails.

Lyrically, No Kings is an anthem of disillusionment and rebellion, delivered with conviction and clarity. Templeton Pek have always worn their socio-political hearts on their sleeves, and this track feels especially timely in a world still reckoning with authority, inequality, and unrest. It's not just punk rock for punk’s sake — it's music with a mission.

If you’re a fan of bands like Rise Against, Ignite, Thrice, or Boysetsfire, this one will hit home — hard. But more importantly, No Kings isn’t just a song that sounds like those bands; it belongs in the same conversation. Templeton Pek prove once again that they’re not just tagging along in the scene — they’re shaping it.

Essential listening! Punk rock with both teeth and heart. No Kings shows that Templeton Pek have taken the throne and are thriving.

Watch the official video for “No Kings” here: 👉