Friday, December 11, 2015

Second Golden Dawn...

Raedon Kong - Critical Paths (2015)


Coming back with their second full album after a self-released EP in 2013, Louisiana's duo of Raedon Kong stretch and blend genre definitions with an eagerness to blare their own style loud and clear (well, clear aside from the thick layers of fuzz wrapped around the guitar).  Doom, sludge, stoner rock, heavy metal, noise, and more get heated up, melted, and reformed to the needs of RK, who keep things heavy whether they're throwing themselves into a violent riff trip, twisting through complex melodies, or just getting down in the grooves and riding along to new territory.
Sure, there's some moments of calm, like the sweetness-out-of-nowhere turned inside-out of "Daughters", but that contrast works in fine service to emphasize the beats and pressure elsewhere.  It's also worth pointing out how well the duo blends and counter-points their voices throughout the album, achieving moments which will have you breaking out in goosebumps.
Hell Comes Home Records over in Ireland (a far trip from the band's home state; there's got to be a good story behind the two coming together) is the label handling this piece of sharp-edged brilliance, and making it available on vinyl or digital download from their BandCamp page.  If metal that doesn't confine itself to one style or slip up with the fusion appeals to you, be sure to check these guys out; just be sure to listen to the album in full to hear all they have to offer this time around.
~ Gabriel

For Fans Of;    Behold! The Monolith, Dead Hand, The Munsens, Reptensol, Warrior Pope




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