Bronze
Bronze combines substantial guitar riffs with quieter, more theatrical passages. Crippled Black Phoenix give the music a broad sound, using different voices and orchestral colours around a firm rock foundation. The performances are often impressive. The songs are less consistent, with several excellent sections surrounded by material that develops too slowly to maintain the same interest.
Dead Imperial Bastard begins with a long atmospheric introduction. Deviant Burials provides a stronger arrival through thick guitar playing and a fuller band sound. Its later move towards quieter psychedelia shows how naturally the group can change the scale of an arrangement.
No Fun is more concise. The repeating riff and lighter psychedelic character give it an immediate identity, providing a useful break from the broader pieces.
Champions Of Disturbance is the main highlight. The first section brings the instruments together around a pulsing rhythm, with rolling drums and electronic colour adding movement. The second part develops a stronger groove and a more prominent vocal line. Changes in texture build towards a convincing peak, making the extended form feel earned rather than merely large.
Goodbye Then offers a more reflective change of mood. Scared And Alone develops another quieter space, beginning with limited accompaniment and an exposed voice. Guitar and horn colours broaden the arrangement as it progresses. The result has a strong atmosphere, although the length also makes its repeated material more noticeable.
That problem affects the record more widely. Rotten Memories struggles to establish a clear direction, and some passages rely on a rich sound to support ideas that do not change enough. The production gives the performances weight, but it cannot make every long stretch equally engaging.
Bronze is worth exploring for its best songs and its willingness to bring contrasting musical approaches together. Its strongest grooves have real force, and the calmer performances add an effective emotional contrast. A more selective sequence would make those qualities easier to appreciate. The album has plenty of character, but it leaves a gap between its most convincing moments and the rest.
