Release
date: 12th January 2018. Label: Nuclear Blast Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
No
Cross No Crown - Tracklisting
1. Novus Deus
2. The Luddite
3. Cast the First
Stone
4. No Cross
5. Wolf Named Crow
6. Little Man
7. Matre's Diem
8. Forgive Me
9. Nothing Left to
Say
10. Sacred Isolation
11. Old Disaster
12. E.L.M.
13. No Cross No
Crown
14. A Quest to
Believe (A Call to the Void)
15. Son and Daughter
Members
Woody
Weatherman
Mike
Dean
Reed
Mullin
Pepper
Keenan
Review
Greetings
All,
When
I was offered the chance to review the new Corrosion of Conformity
album, I jumped faster than a bullfrog with his ass on fire. CoC
has been one of my favorite bands for many years now. For those that
may not know, No Cross No Crown marks the return of
Pepper Keenan to the fold, after a couple of albums as a trio. The
band as a trio saw a return to the earlier, Animosity-era punk metal
sound. Now as a four piece the band returns to a heavy southern style
stoner sludge a bit more reminiscent of Blind/Deliverance. Although I
love both styles, this is a very welcome return. CoC sounds
amazing on this record. They are as a tight and rocking as humanly
possible. It sounds as though they never were apart and hit the
ground running on all cylinders.
The
album spans an impressive 15 tracks, with a couple of those being
brief instrumental interludes. There seems to be a repetitive theme
throughout No Cross No Crown of symbolism, religion,
and power which may very well be a reflection on the current
political climate here in the US. The album is an absolute ripper
from beginning to end. The proverbial all killer no filler with some
absolutely amazing songs.
To
the songs, the album kicks off with a brief fuzzy intro entitled
Novus Deus before kicking your proverbial teeth in with the
absolutely killer riffage of The Luddite. Cast the First
Stone is the same style of ripper. The way CoC brings the
heavy and melodic can be breathtaking. They truly are timeless, as
some of these songs span 2 to 3 decades of musical styles in one
song.
No
Cross is another brief interlude that features acoustic guitar
over some heavy bass drone. Wolf Named Crow is a southern
style, groove heavy rocker that reminded me quite a bit of Pepper’s
other band Down. It is a killer tune. Little Man rages next.
There is a 70’s classic rock vibe to this song, but I also was
reminded of last years amazing Obsessed record. The two bands have a
similar storyline with reuniting and putting out killer albums.
Matre’s Diem follows with a beautiful acoustic interlude.
Forgive
Me comes at you next at a 100mph. This one features an absolutely
killer hook. Bless you or Screw you if this song isn’t stuck in
your head for weeks after listening. Nothing Left to Say
brings in a sound that reminds me of early 90’s grunge and metal
bands such as Alice in Chains with the quiet/loud dynamic, but I also
got a bit of Pantera doing Planet Caravan.
Another
masterfully delivered song. Sacred Isolation is another
interlude that has electric guitar solos over what sounds like some
distorted piano/synth sounds. Old Disaster and ELM
bring more classic CoC, heavy killer riffs, wicked solos and
amazing song writing and delivery.
The
albums title track, No Cross No Crown is an interesting
departure. An intriguing spoken word song that plays like a heavy,
blackened synth driven dirge. A Quest to Believe (A Call to the
Void) is another smoking heavy track with a very epic sound and a
bit of call and response, dual vocals.
The
record closes with the astounding Son & Daughter. It comes
with a stomping pace and some killer metal riffage. Again with a nod
to the 70’s arena rock, but also a bit of Ozzy solo or Black Label
Society in the mix. It is the perfect closer to this absolutely
stunning record.
It
is a joy and a privilege to watch master craftsmen at work. Corrosion
of Conformity are masters of their craft. It is only a couple of
weeks in to 2018 and we already have one of the best albums of the
year. If you are a long-time fan or new to CoC, do yourself a
huge favor and check this album out. (along with their other releases
over the last 30 years)
No
Cross No Crown is a masterpiece. Period.
Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou
Words by Todd Stealey
No Cross No Crown will
be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records from
January 12th 2018.
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