It’s a true statement that the San Francisco Bay Area is a base for strong, technical metal bands and here’s another in Nite. This is the band’s second album release.
Blackened metal is how it’s described but the first thing that hit me was the bright melody. The vocals are growly but where anything described as black might be rancid, this is fresh and lively with a strong drum beat and larger than life guitar work without being flashy. The breezy “Acheron”, which opens up the album, reminds me of Dark Tranquillity in a number of ways but especially its transitions. As I listened to “Kronian Moon” I did wonder whether the dark vocals are necessary. The song has energy and dramatic emotion in its melody, and instrumentally has life, at one point reminding me fleetingly of “Eye of the Tiger”. The vocals are fine but the dark growls seem too strong a contrast, especially when set to such melodic fare. The mix of presentation has an air of Tribulation about it.
On we bounce through “Last Scorpion” to the dynamic “Liber ex Doctrina”. The slow progress is perfectly matched by the deep growly vocals, creating a hauntingly dark air. It picks up a bit before breathing frost on us again and returning to a classic metal melody. Great song, especially the darker side of it. “Heliopolis” highlights the other, more rampant and flowing side of this engaging band. “Edge of the Night” had an almost power metal edge to it. It’s driving, dramatic, melodic metal and infused the vocalist who sounds like he has a sore throat. The sheer drama and life of it can’t be denied though. One of the more intriguing tracks is “Thorns”. More sinister than the others, which works well with the vocals, it is full of instrumental colour and, that word again, drama. “The Trident”, the final song, is another one to start in the style of “Eye of the Tiger”. This is the band at its best: rocking and melodically metal and with a structure which is full of life, it’s dark and creepy at the same time. This works.
This album has great songs and melodies, superb instrumental technique and interesting structures. My only reservation was the dark vocals which seemed incongruous except for those moments where the music itself was dark. Then it really worked. But “Voices of the Kronian Moon” is an invigorating album to be enjoyed, and I really enjoyed it.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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