Cirith Ungol – Dark Parade
Cirith Ungol – Dark Parade
Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 20/10/2023
Running Time: 44:00
Review by Rory Bentley
8/10
Despite having a hefty influence on a variety of Metal subgenres ranging from Epic Doom to Power Metal, Californian Heavy Metal veterans Cirith Ungol are not the household name they perhaps should be amongst the denim-clad faithful. This is rather a shame as both their original run of albums and their 2020 comeback are ironically as 2023 as Metal gets in many respects. The Epic Heavy Metal and Epic Doom genres are among the trendiest movements in the modern climate, with the likes of Eternal Champion, Crypt Sermon and even Spirit Adrift taking huge influence whether directly or indirectly from the classic Cirith Ungol sound. The signature sound in question is a heady combo of crushing Doomy guitar tone, soaring melodic lead work, NWOBHM structures and some pretty ermm.. Eccentric vocals.
All of these qualities are present and correct on “Dark Parade” and the band really has no right to sound as fired up and slick at this end of their career. Although the sonic approach is old-school, the performances here are anything but, with the band sounding like they haven’t lost the slightest hint of a step over their 4 decade plus career. Opening barrage ‘Velocity’ starts with a guitar solo, and not the kind that elegantly builds up to something – it hits you right between the eyes at a hundred miles an hour and says “Welcome to the album, bitch!”. The riffing is crunchy, the drums pound relentlessly and the inimitable Tim Baker sound bang up for it!
If you’re after something a little more mid-paced and groovy, the chunky Eastern-tinged ‘Relentless’ caters nicely for a more steady headbanging session, delivering Classic Metal with a modern punch and delving into the band’s established esoteric lyrical drama. Your enjoyment of this, and indeed the album in general, is going to hinge significantly on your tolerance for Baker’s frankly demented voice. Subtle as a brick, shrill as a fire alarm and divisive in a way that makes King Diamond seem like Adele by comparison, it is an important part of the band’s sound, but one that definitely has its detractors. What I will say is in the context of what he does, whether you like it or not, he does the ‘Tim Baker thing’ at perhaps the highest level on this release, and that alone should be applauded.
For me the front half of the album is the strongest, despite everything being impressively consistent. The creaking ship sounds and epic grandeur of ‘Sailor on the Seas of Fate’ are an early highlight as the band show off their Prog chops, and the more eery flamenco-tinged ‘Sacrifice’ has a lilting and hypnotic quality as it lumbers through a wall of crunching molten riffage along with some typically 11/10 nut case vocals from Baker. That’s not to say there’s a significant drop off in the back half, the more 80s than shoulder pads bluster of ‘Looking Glass’ is all kinds of fun and ‘Down Below’ is a ripping spooky yarn to close things out. I think I’d probably hit my personal Tim Baker limit by then.
If this is to be Cirith Ungol’s last album as they’ve recently announced they will be wrapping up playing live shows, then it’s an incredibly strong way to bow out. But if they were to focus on being a studio act and chucking out albums of this quality I ain’t gonna be mad at that at all!
TRACKLISTING:
01. Velocity (S.E.P.)
02. Relentless
03. Sailor on the Seas of Fate
04. Sacrifice
05. Looking Glass
06. Dark Parade
07. Distant Shadows
08. Down Below
LINE-UP:
Tim Baker – vocals
Jimmy Barraza – guitar
Greg Lindstrom – guitar
Rob Garven – drums
Jarvis Leatherby – bass
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
