KINGCROW
Title: Hopium
Season of Mist
Release: 23 August 2024
KINGCROW are Diego Marchesi Vocals, Diego Cafolla Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals, Ivan Nastasi Guitars, Backing Vocals, Riccardo Nifosì Bass and Backing Vocals Thundra on Drums, and last released an album in 2018 with "The Persistence".
In August they return with their latest work "Hopium" and what a killer slab of progressive heaven it is!
These guys are regarded as one of Italy's finest bands and it is easy to see why with their new album mixing up progressive rock with an alternative edge that pushes many boundaries on the rock and roll sphere this ten-track beast pleases and captivates the listener from the instant the needle hits the groove.
Things get underway in impressive style with the opening track "Kintsugi" Instantly the superb musicianship is brought to the forefront, with Diego Marchesi vocals and the beat embedding itself into your head from the get-go and leaves you wanting to absorb the whole album! I think it's a fantastic start as "Glitch" follows with its gentle tones that move into an outward experience as Diego Cafolla keyboards and the rhythm section of Riccardo Nifosi on bass and Thundra on drums take this song to another level as it progresses.
I adore "Parallel Lines" the way it changes from one minute sounding like an angry hornet's nest to a flowing groove, then the guitar lets loose simply sublime!
"New Moon Harvest" is a reposeful piece like a prog ballad it's a flowing enchanting song as things pick up again with "Losing Game" a stomping slice of positivity that rocks out big style with a serious question in its lyrics—another favorite track of mine.
"White RabbIts Hole" and "Night Drive" continue the journey into a refreshing opus that I find difficult to listen to one track I think you need to sit down pour a nice glass of red wine, sit in a darkened room, and turn the volume up to eleven and let this whole work it's way into your soul. "Night Drive" when it gets going gave me shivers the first time I listened to it, the build-up engrosses the listener.
Big keyboards, a huge rhythm section, and great guitar hooks as "Vicious Circle" spill outta ya speakers as the piece de resistance, the title track "Hopium" rocks up with the added piano solo from Vikram Shankar this beguiling eight-minute epic has everything a lover of prog metal adores and will see you wanting more from these Latin progressive metallers.
The final track is a bonus, its tenderness and emotions will like this whole platter leave the listener hooked and a massive fan of KINGCROW.
The band's name is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Raven" KINGCROW and with this work of art we have a colorful poetic work of progressive metal delights with "Hopium".
Review: Seb Di Gatto Score:9/10
Reviewed:12/06/24
Tracklist
1. Kintsugi
2. Glitch
3. Parallel Lines
4. New Moon Harvest
5. Losing Game
6. White Rabbit's Hole
7. Night Drive
8. Vicious Circle
9. Hopium
10. Come Through (Bonus Track)
Line-up
Diego Marchesi - Vocals
Diego Cafolla - Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals
Ivan Nastasi - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Riccardo Nifosì - Bass, Backing Vocals
Thundra - Drums, Percussions
Guest Musicians
Vikram Shankar - Piano solo on "Hopium"
Stream & Order: https://orcd.co/kingcrowhopium
Links/Follow Artist:
Official Website: https://www.kingcrow.it/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Kingcrowband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingcrow_official/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KingcrowBand
Bandcamp: https://kingcrow1.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3nnSgQo8TIgiO5M5pv3mlV
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kingcrow/594989536
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/1002506
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/6519112
