ALBUM REVIEW: I – The Forge – Crimson Coven
Bombastic traditional heavy metal stylings from Spain. Five-piece CRIMSON COVEN put the hammer to the anvil to forge their debut album.
Leaning into thematic dramatics for the building of an atmosphere. CRIMSON COVEN delivers a spoken word prelude before kicking off properly with the crashing Crimson Coven. This eponymous track picks up from the style laid out in the 0 – The Genesis EP and borrows heavily from notable NWOBHM artists. However, with a style that wears it’s influence proudly, the quintets own flare stops anything sounding overtly copy and paste.
At times, one might find themselves thinking, ‘I know this bit.’ Singing along to the memorable Lockheed Electra is simple as it takes on a very liner and literal framework. Parallels could be drawn from this to a certain Yorkshire based metal band. That is partially the trouble with a new band anchoring themselves so firmly in a genre that has had a litany of greats and notable acts making up its DNA. Influence can become imitation. The beauty of what CRIMSON COVEN have crafted though is a sound that may not be unique but is original. It’ll fit in with any denim and leather clad pla...