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Frozen Crown - The Fallen King (2018)
Fail No More - A slightly offbeat drum intro kicks off a slab of good ol' double-bass power metal. Plenty of noodling, a big chorus, and the transition to the guitar solo is particularly interesting. 9
To Infinity - Why use a normal intro when you can just use the chorus? Once past that, we find a very slightly softer tune somewhat reminiscent of Anette Olzon-era Nightwish, although some big arm-swingin' power chords are scattered throughout. 8.5
Kings - Textbook power metal, perfectly executed. 9.5
I Am the Tyrant - After three quick ones to open up, track four settles into a slow, infernally catchy gallop. Furthermore, we find yet another roomful-of-drunken-Europeans-grade chrous, something Mondelli et al appear to be particularly adept at. On a seperate note, it's a track I find myself humming at all sorts of inopportune moments. 9
The Shieldmaiden - A few strains of synthesized harpsichord begin proceedings, but this is an especially short-lived bout of foreplay before diving into the usual double-bass rocker formula. Some growls are introduced here, and they just kinda take up space, neither enhancing nor spoiling the song. 8.5
Chasing Lights - More fake harpsichord here, only this time it's not a drill. This is a strange one; as the song progresses in such a long-winded and moody fashion you'd be forgiven for expecting an instrumental interlude, but no, it's a full four-and-a-half minute song you kinda have to just sit through. Strange thing is (especially given it's one of the album's longest tracks) it ends in an extremely abrupt fashion and segues straight into the next track in a very interlude-y manner, thus leading me to wonder if they'd been better off making merry with the editing scissors. 5
Queen of Blades - Phew, back to some actual metal. Another up-tempo tune, this one doesn't land quite as well as the first few. More growls, not really adding much. 7.5
Across the Sea - Hmm, we're detecting elevated levels of pop influence here. It's not a bad song by any means, or even meh, but it just doesn't grab me like the first few tracks (stop me if I'm repeating myself) 7
Everwinter - Ah, that's more like it. After a weak mid-section, the album is back on form here with another double-bass rocker. Not much else to say here that hasn't been applied elsewhere. 8
Netherstorm - Growls are applied more liberally here, and truth be told it's a bit hit-and-miss. Not to worry, because the most overtly melodeath-tinged track here thunders along well, even featuring a couple of power metal cliches here and there. 8
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Frozen Crown - The Fallen King (2018)
Fail No More - A slightly offbeat drum intro kicks off a slab of good ol' double-bass power metal. Plenty of noodling, a big chorus, and the transition to the guitar solo is particularly interesting. 9
To Infinity - Why use a normal intro when you can just use the chorus? Once past that, we find a very slightly softer tune somewhat reminiscent of Anette Olzon-era Nightwish, although some big arm-swingin' power chords are scattered throughout. 8.5
Kings - Textbook power metal, perfectly executed. 9.5
I Am the Tyrant - After three quick ones to open up, track four settles into a slow, infernally catchy gallop. Furthermore, we find yet another roomful-of-drunken-Europeans-grade chrous, something Mondelli et al appear to be particularly adept at. On a seperate note, it's a track I find myself humming at all sorts of inopportune moments. 9
The Shieldmaiden - A few strains of synthesized harpsichord begin proceedings, but this is an especially short-lived bout of foreplay before diving into the usual double-bass rocker formula. Some growls are introduced here, and they just kinda take up space, neither enhancing nor spoiling the song. 8.5
Chasing Lights - More fake harpsichord here, only this time it's not a drill. This is a strange one; as the song progresses in such a long-winded and moody fashion you'd be forgiven for expecting an instrumental interlude, but no, it's a full four-and-a-half minute song you kinda have to just sit through. Strange thing is (especially given it's one of the album's longest tracks) it ends in an extremely abrupt fashion and segues straight into the next track in a very interlude-y manner, thus leading me to wonder if they'd been better off making merry with the editing scissors. 5
Queen of Blades - Phew, back to some actual metal. Another up-tempo tune, this one doesn't land quite as well as the first few. More growls, not really adding much. 7.5
Across the Sea - Hmm, we're detecting elevated levels of pop influence here. It's not a bad song by any means, or even meh, but it just doesn't grab me like the first few tracks (stop me if I'm repeating myself) 7
Everwinter - Ah, that's more like it. After a weak mid-section, the album is back on form here with another double-bass rocker. Not much else to say here that hasn't been applied elsewhere. 8
Netherstorm - Growls are applied more liberally here, and truth be told it's a bit hit-and-miss. Not to worry, because the most overtly melodeath-tinged track here thunders along well, even featuring a couple of power metal cliches here and there. 8
80%