BLACK CROWN INITIATE - THE WRECKAGE OF STARS [REVIEW]
Band: Black Crown Initiate
Album: The Wreckage of Stars
Genre: Progressive Death Metal
Country: USA
Release Date: October 27, 2014
Label: eOne Music
Reviewer: Ziad Gadou
They say the first impression is the most important one in
any encounter. Black Crown Initiate
certainly left a great one on me with this fantastic debut. “The Wreckage of Stars” is one of those
debuts that leave you wishing you finished those music lessons you started as a
6-year old. Rising US progressive-death
metal have an impressive touring resume to complement their excellent sound. Following
a successful debut four-track concept EP “Song of the Crippled Bull” release,
the band took the spotlight in the renowned Metal Alliance Tour alongside the
legendary Goatwhore and Behemoth. Since then, Black Crown Initiate have gone on
to tour with Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Rivers of Nihil.
A perfect description of the opening track, “Great Mistake”,
would be a progressive take of a Behemoth track. With growls so gut-shattering
and clean vocals reminiscent of Dimmu Borgir’s “Vortex”, Rik Stelzpflug and Andy
Thomas were a lethal guitar/vocal tag team. “The Fractured One” was simply, a
straight up head-banging track. No shortcuts, just persistently timed drum
arrangements and great death metal riffs. “Malignant” was an unreleased “Opeth”,
“Damnation/Deliverance”, death metal track. If this song does not get you
headbanging in emotional hiatus, Nick Shaw’s bass solo was guaranteed to grasp
your wits by force. The album’s excellent production is definitely worth
mentioning. Every instrument is its own paradigm, clamoring for your undivided
attention. “Withering Waves” was just
another reason why clean vocals are never a hindrance in death metal tracks. In
fact, it is the cherry on top. The album title track is definitely my pick off
the album. The opening riff drifts the listener into a cloud so comfortable you
might just drool absent-mindedly. Before you know it, the progressive plot
twist strikes again and you lay there bedazzled with a mixture of awe and
pleasure.
In conclusion, Black
Crown Initiate are not the “new boys in town”. They did not lack knowledge
of direction or sound. They know exactly what sort of deliverance to bring to
the scene. They are simply progressive conductors who decided to pick up
instruments and record an album. With a superb sound of production and a
powerful presence on all instruments, “Black Crown Initiate” are certainly an
act to have eyes on, at all times. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the progressive
death metal torch is in safe hands.
8.5/10
Check out Withering Waves below:
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