An album influenced by 90s gothic metal with punk and black metal influences is on the table here. Hailing from Germany, this is the band’s second album release.
A dark melodic flow greets us. The withering guitar chorus line sounds of Hypocrisy, there is the occasional sound of the keyboard, but prompted by the vocals in particular Crematory come to mind. This is much darker in mood, but “Scorpion”, which opens the album, is a rousing song. The thumping rhythm of “Your Eyes on Me” has more of Rammstein about it. The vocals are languid to begin with but the whole thing fires up nicely. The dark energy pervades the shadowy “Lisa”. As “Your Eyes on Me’ before it, the whispered vocals provide that gothic feel but the pace is rapid, and the song comprises a mix of gothic shadiness and heavy, uncompromising rock n roll. “Ritual Summer” is anything but summery, comprising hardened gothic gloom. The riff again recalls Hypocrisy as “Ritual Summer” progresses forward in its dark way. I couldn’t say this is black metal as the structures are too commercial for that, but without doubt it’s strong, dark, heavy and a little bit menacing.
The songs are edgy but there’s a certain pattern to the style. The vocalist can be impressive but is not convincing when he’s delivering conventional clean vocals as on “Godchildren”. The instrumentals are as ever imposing, making for solid songs in the process. I liked the bounciness of “Seven”, whose vibe is decidedly punkish. That livened things up, not that the album is dreary. This is followed by another fast-paced song in “Native Tongue”. The riff is fresh and exciting. Again Child of Caesar show their command of song structure. Punk-hardcore with a solid base is at the heart of “B.M.T.C”. The drums go at a rapid pace. The bass provides the mystique. The vocals have great life and vigour. “Exitus” is a rapid blast to finish, but all does not end there as Child of Caesar give us a bonus in the form of a echoey, shadowy gothic version of the hippie cult song “San Francisco”. It’s certainly different.
The highlights for me were the punk-inspired songs at the end of this album. The rest is solid and goth-orientated. One thing is for sure is that Child of Caesar know how to construct good songs.
(7.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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