It is an honor to review this release since I personally have been eager to hear this. The Dallas, TX six-piece have traveled a road that some of us may remember bands like Nevea Tears and Scary Kids Scaring Kids have paved with synths and keyboards overlapping a familiar post-hardcore sound. With bands now emerging like Scarlett O'Hara, Woe Is Me, and Abandon All Ships, some may say there is no individuality in this popularized genre. They obviously have not heard Crown The Empire.
Limitless is Crown The Empire's new debut EP which if you have a gander at their Facebook page, has been long awaited by loyal fans. The band takes its sound from today's post-hardcore scene but adds unique twists and solid song structure to ensure that they will not be just another clone.
The track 'The Glass Elevator (Walls)' captivates you with what sounds like a crowd screaming, "Break down your walls tonight, we're here to sing for you. Tear down your walls tonight, we're here to scream for you." A perfect start already with solid melody, haunting keyboard work and Andy Leo's captivating singing which has greatly improved from past demos. 'Breaking Point' flows right after and for those who previously heard this band know this from a previous demo. The song sounds fuller, cleaner and much better overall re-recorded. The track is full of catchy hooks and overlapping but not overbearing electronics. The next song 'Wake Me Up' is another track from a previous single that is my personal favorite and the band yet again has raised the bar with the re-release of the track. The electronics are more present on this version but not too overpowering. The vocals are much more clearer and defined as well as musically. 'Johnny Ringo' is a new track featured on Limitless which as well is a very intriguing song because it starts with a haunting melody that almost sounds out of place at first but this track probably is the band's most progressive track. 'Voices' follows with a cool electronic intro but goes into heavy breakdown and changes again into a clean hook. another catchy track that is sure to get stuck in your head. The title track 'Limitless' features Make Me Famous frontman Dennis Shaforostov as a guest. The track does not disappoint with a great mix of brutality and beauty. The closer 'Lead Me Out Of The Dark' is the clean finisher. Just clean singing and a piano which ends with the band's heart and soul out there for everyone.
The guitar work by both Brandon Hoover and Bennett Vogelman shows their range in sound in not just song by song but in every song, structure by structure. The keyboards and electronics by Austin Duncan is by far the best out of all the band's music thus far. Each part is as if he transitions with emotion where some parts make you want to move and jump around and others make you just want to listen closely and quietly. The bass by Hayden Tree is felt like a truck through your house if you are like me and blasted this right away with the bass nob all the way up. Brent Taddie's drumming was precise and not just following every note but had his own sound and view on each part.
This band has found their sound and has done an amazing job putting it into this release. Not one track sounded repetitive nor was there a moment that I wanted to walk away or skip a part. Each moment was like a new emotion or thought. For anyone considering ordering this, I suggest it immensely because not many bands nowadays can do what Crown The Empire has learned early on.
MY VOTE:
5.0/5.0
