Kingcrow – Hopium
Kingcrow – Hopium
Season Of Mist
23/08/2024
Running Time: 53:27
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
Kingcrow. Hailing from Rome, Italy, the band’s origins can be traced back to the early 00s. Having performed under one name or another, the core of the band have released multiple albums and travelled the whole of Europe as headliners. A new band to me, the Progressive Rockers cite the likes of Leprous and Haken as influences. I was curious to see how these influences would manifest and shape Kingcrow’s style in their upcoming release “Hopium”. Maybe something more synth driven, something more experimental? Or perhaps more on the heavier end, in the vein of Opeth or Enslaved? Let’s find out…
“Hopium” kicks off with ‘Kintsugi’. The Progressive Rock element is undeniable, with a synth heavy sound alongside an infectious groove and rhythm section. A throwback to an early Genesis sound, combined with modern production to a nicely sharp and polished end product. Much of this can be said for ‘Glitch’, though the music seems a little more stripped back without the distorted guitars which gives Diego’s vocal talent more time to shine! The band attempt more complex compositional patterns and textures in ‘Parallel Lines’ – and succeed in doing so. It sure is admirable to see a band take risks like this and steer off the well beaten path. Check out the blazing guitar solo in this track too!
As a side note, I must say this is not the kind of record I’d expect from Seasons of Mist, given the depth of Extreme Metal artists on their roster. Though this demonstrates versatility within the label’s ranks!
Things get a little more experimental in ‘Losing Games’, with a drum and bass style ryhtmic pattern in the intro certainly not what I was expecting, though a welcome change of pace. This raises the overall energy of the album too!
I mentioned Diego’s vocal prowess earlier. He steps up even more during ‘White Rabbit Hole’, demonstrating a stronger almost operatic quality to his voice. Nice! One of a few melodic hooks within the whole of the album. However, it’s getting to these hooks and crescendos that can feel like a big commitment in time and effort, especially in this world where airplay and streaming space is more valuable than ever. Songs regularly hovering around the 6 minute mark on an album almost 54 minutes in length can seem daunting to someone new to the band. Ideas begin to seem stretched too thin and the pacing of the album is too slow. However, this applies to a more casual audience. Progressive Rock aficionados will adore what’s on offer here and I implore you to get your hands and ears on this come late August 2024.
TRACKLISTING
01. Kintsugi
02. Glitch
03. Parallel Lines
04. New Moon Harvest
05. Losing Game
06. White Rabbit’s Hole
07. Night Drive
08. Vicious Circle
09. Hopium
10. Come Through
LINE-UP
Diego Marchesi – Vocals
Diego Cafolla – Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals
Ivan Nastasi – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Riccardo Nifosì – Bass, Backing Vocals
Thundra – Drums, Percussions
LINKS
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