Over seventy years since Rock-n-Roll first emerged, evolution has certainly been a vital factor. With so many bands coming and going through the decades, each offering their own artistic interruption, there are some who are just harder to classify. This would be the case with Kingcrow; an Italian band ebbing and flowing out of several stylings over twenty years now. Certainly, rooted in a more progressive form of Rock/Metal, the truth is, their sound is so eclectic, that no one title fits them all too well.
A factor which makes Kingcrow that much more compelling, their story began all the way back in 1996 as Earthshaker. Soon becoming Kingcrow (a name inspired by Edgar Allan Poes’ The Raven), they rapidly evolved with each passing album, but on the international radar, remained relatively obscure for many years to come. Rather unfortunate, at last a broader audience would be introduced to Kingcrow in 2013 when they made their first ever North American appearance, touring alongside Pain of Salvation. At the time supporting their fifth studio album In Crescendo, while it was still limited exposure, the band immediately drew more interest, and this grew with the release of 2015’s Eidos, leading into 2018’s The Persistence. The latest, two albums that really captured the wide range of progression Kingcrow has experienced, now in 2024 they return with Hopium.
Their first release through Season of Mist, Hopium arrived on August 23, 2024 and marks the longest gap between albums for the band ever. Nearly six years to be exact, once again they spread their creative wings and in the process spark new curiosity. Led by Guitarist/Keyboardist/Backing Vocalist Diego Cafolla, alongside his brother and Drummer Thundra Cafolla, the band’s lineup is completed with Vocalist Diego Marchesi, Guitarist/Backing Vocalist Ivan Nastasi, as well as Bassist/Backing Vocalist Riccardo Nifosì. Perhaps their most unified configuration to date, as with their prior albums, Diego Cafolla himself handles the production of Hopium, and the result is extremely dynamic.
Now, if you are new to Kingcrow, and chances are you very well might be, Hopium’s textures are a bit different than say Eidos or The Persistence. Looking back, The Persistence is arguably a darker, more melancholic record; whereas Hopium certainly feels a bit brighter sonically. Interesting, considering the album’s title alludes to an unwarranted optimism, it could be that the more upbeat tones are highly intent. All this considered, it must be acknowledged there is still an undertone of darkness amidst Hopium; one that creates a sense of longing and displacement in the fragmented modern world. Quite powerful, the music itself is so diverse with subtlety, that you really need to listen to each song completely several times before even contemplating an opinion.
A total of nine songs, ten if you include the bonus of “Come Through,” Hopium gives a false sense of security which lulls you in, but only to erupt at the most unexpected moments. With this, songs like “Kintsugi” and “Glitch” shock your senses, “New Moon Harvest” haunts you, while others like “Losing Game” along with “Night Drive” take you on a very intense, varied journey.
In all, each song is so rich in sound that it is impossible not to remain engaged. There are guitar, keyboards, bass, and drum tones that are so carefully crafted, you cannot help but marvel at the work put into it all. Masterfully produced, the delicate, tender nature of Hopium is center stage, making it more than a Prog Rock album, but one that should appeal to even Hard Rock or Alternative Metal fans. Something you need to stop and listen to with open ears, Cryptic Rock gives Hopium 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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