"Kingdom of Desire" is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Toto, released on September 7, 1992. This album is notable for being the first Toto record featuring Simon Phillips on drums, who replaced Jeff Porcaro after his untimely death in 1992.
Stylistically, "Kingdom of Desire" marked a significant shift from their previous work, leaning more towards hard rock and blues. This sonic shift was majorly due to the influence of their guitarist, Steve Lukather, who assumed lead vocals on almost every song and wielded a lot of creative control during the production process.
The album features a total of twelve tracks, including their popular single "Only You". Despite major changes, "Kingdom of Desire" was well received and allowed Toto to maintain their popularity. A critical component of the album is its poignant tribute to Jeff Porcaro in the form of the last track, "Jake to the Bone".
It is necessary to note that this album marked a difficult time for the band, battling grief over the loss of their original drummer. Regardless, it showcased Toto's remarkable resilience as a band, and their ability to produce compelling music amidst deeply personal challenges.
To date, "Kingdom of Desire" remains an essential part of Toto's discography and exhibits their versatility and adaptability as artists in the ever-changing landscape of rock music.
