Skip to main content

Chimaira: Crown Of Phantoms

CHIMAIRA 
CROWN OF PHANTOMS
   Evolve or die. Its a simple decision really. For a band anyway. Either a struggling or strained band can split up and cease to exist, or it can evolve and begin a new phase of existence. Luckily, Chimaira chose to do the latter. Chimaira evolved into a far stronger and tighter unit, at the price of a significant line-up change that was presented by a vast majority of the media as being the death of the band. Anyone who believed or speculated that Chimaira would actually crumble into dust due to personnel difficulties, are now forced to eat their words.
   Crown Of Phantoms, is not the work of a dying or insignificant band. It is the product of an evolving bands dedication and commitment to Metal-music. In fact, Crown Of Phantoms is the strongest and most consistent album Chimaira have released so far. Comprising of eleven groove-tastic tracks, this is an all bruise no loose album from start to finish.
   Kicking off with the relentless assault of "The Machine", "No Mercy" and "All That's Left Is Blood", is the perfect way to quash any doubts concerning Chimaira. The riffs are groovy and chugging enough to satisfy even the most die-hard Lamb Of God fans. The vocals spit and shred just as you would expect, the bass is driving and the drums are hammering. Whats not to like?
   A brief respite from the persistent battering, comes in the form of the instrumental, "The Transmigration". However, as soon as that breath-catcher is over, its straight back to the lashing with title track, "Crown Of Phantoms". From there on, its skull imploding heaviness to the end. "Spineless", "Kings Of the Shadow World" and "Wrapped In Violence" keep the momentum going and keep the album running on all cylinders.
   At the end of the day, if you like your music heavy then you will love Crown Of Phantoms. Existing fans of Chimaira will enjoy this album all the more when considering the hurdles jumped and the obstacles overcome just to have Crown Of Phantoms released in the first place. A solid album by a now solid band.





Thank You For Reading!!
Feel Free To Comment Or Ask Any Questions!!
  \m/      




Comments

  1. This reviewer's opinion is right on the money. Crown of phantoms is awesome . What a comeback . Chimaira fans should rejoice. This band should receive kudos for their tremendous efforts to keep Chimaira going. Mark Hunter deserves all credit for his dedication and perseverance. Mark is a badass!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No Nonsense Metal: Top 10 Albums Of 2013!

No Nonsense Metal  Top 10 Albums Of 2013!    2013 has proven to be a monumental year for extreme music. We have witnessed the return of some of the greatest pioneering acts Metal music has ever seen, as well as a succession of future legends solidifying their place within our realms. It is fair to say that 2013 holds some of the best Metal releases of all time, but within it also resides some of the most spectacular misfires ever to insult mortal eardrums. Focusing on the positive aspects of the years releases, here is a round up of 10 albums that 2013 shall truly be remembered for. Undoubtedly, this list of albums will (and should) be fairly predictable, reminding you of the incredible strides extreme music has made within the last year. However, it should also highlight just how much can change within a 365 day stretch, and just how much Metal music can terraform within that time. So lets hope 2014 lives up to the achievements of 2013. Bring on the...

BEAST IN BLACK: DARK CONNECTION

  BEAST IN BLACK:  DARK CONNECTION     Bombastic, heavy, wild and fun, Dark Connection is everything that any obliging listener can expect to hear from Finnish whippersnappers Beast In Black.      Saturated with synths, electronics and plenty of twiddling guitars, the album has a very European (or more specifically Scandinavian) Pop vibe, more prevalent here than on Beast In Black's previous efforts. That said, there is no shortage of cracking riffs, slamming drums and impressive vocals.     Kicking off in dramatic fashion, " Blade Runner " offers up an seizure inducing blur of riffs and crazed keys. Sounding like a disco injected Judas Priest, " Bella Donna " is bizzare yet undeniably infectious and catchy. With a great sing-along chorus, crunchy Metallic riffs and an abundance of synths and keys, " Highway To Mars " is another groovy staple. Offering a little more heaviness, " Hardcore " pounds and thunders along like a softer Sab...

HAMMERFALL: RENEGADE 2.0 - 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

  HAMMERFALL: RENEGADE 2.0     Commemorating the 20th anniversary of their seminal 3rd album, Sweden's Power Metal kings  Hammerfall have given Renegade a face-lift, remixed and repackaged as Renegade 2.0. This is a special anniversary presentation that is certain to satisfy the hammer wielding masses, complete with stunning new artwork and tonnes of bonus content.     The beautifully presented triple disc boxset edition includes the 2020 remix edition of Renegade, along with a second CD which contains the original 2000 version of the album as well as bonus tracks taken from the Renegade single and The Templar Renegade Crusades EP. It doesn't stop there though, as the third disc is a DVD of The Templar Renegade Crusades which compiles live footage from around the world, along with other footage and clips essential to any die-hard fans collection.     The 2020 remix of Renegade by the legendary Fredrik Nordström does this fine album ...