I vividly remember the feeling I had the first time I heard Crown The Empire. The year was 2012 and they had just released their debut full length concept album that was a thoughtful post-apocalyptic narrative of love and life. They played a small but packed show in an intimate club venue and crammed six members onto one tiny stage. They were fresh faced and brilliant storytellers, especially considering their young age. I was floored by their performance.
Flash forward to 2019 and the band is gearing up for the release of their new album "Sudden Sky." Their artistic growth is exponential but their larger than life imagery and musical intensity remains the common denominator spanning across all of their releases, including this one.
Don't underestimate their lyrical depth because of their age; their ability to write introspectively about themselves while reflecting on the world around them is unmatched. As someone experiencing my own challenges and personal growth, their music is like pouring gasoline into a fire.
The first track "(X)" sets the scene and puts you in the right headspace to experience the rest of the album. The instrumentals are a slow burn that build up stronger and mightier as the introduction progresses. Vocalist Andy Leo guides it by presenting life questions that many of us are scared to ask ourselves. They face these demons head on and fearlessly explore the roots of the haunting thoughts of our existence throughout the entire album. This marks the beginning of the journey. It's a strong first impression that will capture your attention and draw you in for more.
It seems like Crown The Empire have solidified their identity as a staple metalcore band over the last seven years. They swapped their generic sound for something bold, futuristic, ambitious, and one-of-a-kind. Their limitless energy and inspiration can be felt in every vibration of their music. "20/20" is the first full song on the track list and it explodes with power. It is destined to hit my gym playlist with a dose of intense motivation to push me even further.
The difference between this album and their previous concept albums is the level of relatability in their lyrics. They swapped their intricate tales for more straightforward personal narratives about relationships with ourselves and others.
Although I loved the idea behind "The Fallout," I felt like the concept took away from the message of their music. With this album, the meanings hit harder because there are no distractions. Don't be mistaken though, the metaphors and poetic nature of the lyrics are still strong. I especially felt it on tracks like "what I am" and "Sequ3nce."
"Blurry (Out Of Place)" and "Under The Skin" are melodic changes of pace and sing-along friendly songs. The brooding lyrics are a nice balance with the upbeat, softer energy of the accompanying music. They are a stark difference from the killer upbeat songs on the album so in my opinion, these songs get drowned out compared to the other standouts. However, I love that they included a ballad in the mix!
Their masterpiece ends on a high note with "March of The Ignorant" and the title track "Sudden Sky." They do a great job of encapsulating the message of analyzing the broken aspects of humanity and questioning our entire being. They make us think twice about our purpose and priorities. It's an emotional roller coaster fueled by rage, confusion, and passion. It's a rude awakening but the slap in the face we all need sometimes.
I give Crown The Empire a big pat on the back for diving deep within themselves to emerge even stronger on "Sudden Sky." They discussed mental health and personal relationships with poise and wisdom that is far beyond their years. They are using their platform as musicians to gracefully deliver a message that will deeply impact listeners of all ages. Not only that, but they did it in a way that will undoubtedly catch the eye of a generation with an alarmingly short attention span.
Crown The Empire's album Sudden Sky will be available everywhere on July 19th. Don't sleep on it. Check it out at https://smarturl.it/suddensky.
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