Release
date: February
22nd
2019. Label: Fuzz
Doom Records/Cursed Tongue Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
The
King Of The Empty Aeon – Tracklisting
1.
The King Of The Empty Aeon
2.
Float Away
3.
Vicarious
4.
What Is Human?
5.
This Illusion's Come Alive
6.
What Is Sanity?
7.
Fragments
8.
What Is Reality?
9.
The Word Unspoken
Members
Andy
Beresky- guitar, vocals
Monte
Newman - guitar, vocals
Adam
Abrams - bass guitar, vocals
Matt
Netto - drums, vocals
Review
Strangely
I have never heard of this amazing band before. Even more so since I
really like founder Andy Beresky's other band, Black Pyramid, a lot.
Couldn't have gotten a better introduction to them though with 'The
King Of The Empty Aeon', the band's
first output in four years. It’s wonderful amalgamation of
different styles and thoughts where Palace In Thunderland deftly
blend it all together while creating a beautiful head trip.
Opener
and the title track, ‘The King Of The
Empty Aeon’ comes with loads of vocal
and guitar harmonies akin to Baroness with the heaviness of Mastodon.
Brave, excellent beginning. ‘Float
Away’ , has a kind of a 'Major
Tom' feel to it in the slower parts
mixed with wonderful nods to Baroness. Melodic and haunting it leads
into ‘Vicarious’.
Vocally kind of punkish but with fantastic guitar harmonizing,
twists, turns and neck-breaking speed, all while the rhythm section
slays…wonderful! The pace is brought down on the exciting ‘What
is Human?’ allowing a very insightful
side to the proceedings. This despite being instrumental but
oftentimes the absence of words opens up one’s mind better and
burrows deep into the psyche. ‘This
Illusion’s Come Alive’ keeps a
mid-tempo pace for the most part, even though certain segments are
bone-crushing heavy. Loads of ebb and flow kind of like if Baroness
and Mastodon had a child together and I love it!
‘What
Is Sanity?’ brings a lot of build-up
and anticipation and acts in a way as the perfect intro to the
amazing ‘Fragments’.
Big tips of the hat to both Baroness and Torche and it’s
in-yer-face from the get-go. Hooks and harmonies to die for reels you
in while Palace In Thunderland gives no respite whatsoever. I feel so
elated after this one and can only beg for more. ‘What
Is Reality?’ is very short but on
point as it leads into ‘The Word
Unspoken’. Almost a pop feel to it –
no don’t fret, people – where melody, hooks and harmonizing
allows the band to take wide turns. They paint a wonderful landscape
and could care less what people think. And that’s how it should be.
So
glad I was introduced to this magnificent band who are somewhat of a
game-changer. What I mean is that lately more and more bands are
breaking free from genre rules and sandboxing. Palace In Thunderland
are certainly part of this movement and it’s such a joy and
pleasure to hear a band like this. Fantastic musicianship amalgamated
with a care-free approach doesn’t get much better. Now I have to
back track and check out their past and I can’t wait!
Words
by Håkan Nyman
Thanks
to Leanne at Mettle Media PR and Niels at Cursed Tongue Records for
the promo.
The
King Of The Empty Aeon is available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette Tape now
via Fuzz Doom Records.
The Vinyl will be released in April 2019 via Cursed Tongue Records.
The Vinyl will be released in April 2019 via Cursed Tongue Records.