DREAD MAJESTY - All The Saints Are Dead
Review by Vero Kitsuné
I’m excited about the new social media phenomenon that is BlueSky. The nearly non-existent algorithm has allowed my starved soul to finally discover and connect with fresh new talents that I doubt I would have discovered on the other apps. As Fate intended, the gothic avant-garde progressive metal quintet newcomers from Colorado, Dread Majesty, were one of the first to bless my Bluesky feed with their debut single “All the Saints Are Dead”. I have not stopped listening to this mind-blowing work of art since my first listen.
The song starts off with a dramatic, haunting piano intro along with quite the stirring, painfully beautiful and lush tenor vocals by Rex Vincent in harmonizing duet with basso profundo Aharon, establishing the magnanimous, dark, theatrical mayhem to follow. Thunderous drums and heraldic guitars enter and Rex Vincent’s vocals are now countered with feral growls before the track abruptly drops into tantric speeds that seem to conjure a legion of demons in the interplay between voices and controlled instrumental pandemonium. The track switches between various treatments and time signatures from mellow jigs, to dark and heavy ritualistic gothic chants, sped up symphonic infernal chaos, and ethereal operatic bravado - each section rich in its own character and tall tale, enveloping listeners in an action-packed, cathartic dark adventure that hits all the right spots hard, leaving them breathless… and hungry for more.
Bands like Dread Majesty are quite the rare jewel. Their captivating vision and unparalleled creativity are matched by their athletic endurance, a refined precision in their extremely meticulous production, and a vast range in emotional delivery all capped with a touch of class and style. Their brand of gothic, regal, theatrical and fantastical progressive metal is quite the chimeric mythological creature that has been missing for so long - taking the best parts from some of the legendary metal and prog rock acts like Opeth, Mastodon, Mike Patton, System of a Down, Slayer, and Iron Maiden combined with the majestic extravagance of dark opera. “All The Saints Are Dead” is just the beginning for this group, and already an impeccable start to an artistic journey filled with promise!
Visit https://www.dreadmajesty.com/ for more.
