The world of progressive metal is a crowded one, with countless bands vying for attention in a sea of complex rhythms and intricate solos. Amidst this chaos, slq, a Spanish project led by composer, vocalist, and guitarist César Parra Rojas, emerges with their debut album, 'Crown Shyness'. The album features guest appearances from keyboardist Diego Tejeida (Haken, Temic), drummer Baard Kolstad (Leprous, Rendezvous Point), and bassist Nate Navarro (Devin Townsend, Porcupine Tree live), a lineup that promises a fusion of progressive metal with the signature styles of these renowned musicians. But does 'Crown Shyness' live up to the hype, or is it just another album in a crowded genre?
Rojas' vision for 'Crown Shyness' is ambitious, aiming to create a progressive metal album that draws inspiration from the likes of Tool, Leprous, and Porcupine Tree. The album's title, 'Crown Shyness', is a nod to the botanical phenomenon where trees sense each other and allow space for growth, a metaphor that could be interpreted as a reflection of the band's desire to create space for their own unique sound within the crowded progressive metal scene. However, the execution falls short of this lofty goal.
One of the album's most significant weaknesses is Rojas' vocals. His vocal control is inconsistent, often resulting in pitchy, oversung, or meek deliveries. This inconsistency is amplified by the mixing, which boosts his vocals to compensate for their quietness, leading to a homogenous sound that lacks impact. The composition at large also suffers from a lack of destination, with tracks meandering through vibes and ideas rather than cohering into a unified vision. As a result, the enjoyment of 'Crown Shyness' tends to happen at a micro-level, with the performers locking in to create highlights like the salsa section on 'A Chasm' and the blues rock instrumentals of 'A Deception'.
Despite these shortcomings, 'Crown Shyness' is not without its merits. Instrumentally, it's a very listenable record with some impressive flourishes and intriguing compositional swings. Rojas' guitar work, while sometimes derivative, provides tasty solos, and the contributions from Tejeida, Kolstad, and Navarro are undoubtedly impressive. The album's production values are high, and the band's ability to create a cohesive sound despite the guest appearances is commendable. However, the album's overall impact is limited by the weaknesses in Rojas' vocals and the lack of a clear vision.
In conclusion, 'Crown Shyness' is a mixed bag. While it showcases the potential of slq and the impressive contributions of its guest musicians, it also highlights the challenges of creating a cohesive and impactful progressive metal album. The album's strengths lie in its instrumental prowess and intriguing compositions, but these are often overshadowed by the weaknesses in Rojas' vocals and the lack of a clear direction. Ultimately, 'Crown Shyness' is a promising start for slq, but it will take more than guest appearances to truly stand out in the crowded world of progressive metal.
Personal Commentary:
What makes 'Crown Shyness' particularly fascinating is the tension between its ambitious vision and the execution that falls short. Rojas' desire to create a progressive metal album that draws inspiration from iconic bands is commendable, but the result is a record that feels like it's still finding its identity. The addition of guest musicians, while impressive, can't mask the obvious deficiencies in Rojas' vocals and the lack of a clear direction. It's a reminder that even the most talented musicians can struggle to create a cohesive and impactful album, and sometimes, it's the imperfections that make a record truly memorable.
In my opinion, 'Crown Shyness' is a promising debut that showcases the potential of slq, but it's not a perfect album. The band has the talent and the vision, but they need to refine their execution and find a clearer direction. As a listener, I'm left wanting more, and I'm curious to see how slq evolves and matures as they continue to create music. Perhaps with time and experience, they will be able to fully realize their ambitious vision and create an album that truly stands out in the crowded world of progressive metal.
