Reviewed by Elliot Klimowski
Rating: 9.5/10
It’s frequently very obvious when a metal band wants to be shelved in the power metal genre next to Stratovarius and Hammerfall, or in the atmospheric black metal genre next to Summoning and Aureole. Other times there are groups that tread so much ground over the course of one album that it deserves to be on the pantheon of any discography. The second volume of the Victorian Era trio of concept albums by Germany’s Pyogenesis makes tracks in the punk sphere, the death metal cavern, the alternative swing, and the gothic metal field. A Kingdom to Disappear should be left off of no shelves of 2017 greats, even this early in the year. There truly is something in this album for everyone even if you have trouble understanding Flo Schwarz’ occasionally unintelligible accent. The artwork alone is enough to lure in all the steampunk posers claiming to enjoy an alternative lifestyle, but thankfully they are in for a treat and one wild ride.
Normally I hate intro tracks, but it makes sense for ‘Sleep is Good’ to exist. It serves as the first incline to the precipice of the first boob of the album. The next two songs form the peak of the first half, both of which having music videos as the album’s lead singles. ‘Every Man For Himself and God Against All’ sounds like a song that would come at the end of an album, but is a pleasant introduction to the experience to come. One of the best moments on the album comes in ‘I Have Seen My Soul’ just after the first section of vocals where the on-beat snare kicks in along with the undertoned rhythm line. Entering the melodic portion of the album, ‘It’s Too Late’ serves as the title track and features perhaps the most accessible and melodic portions of the album. It is here that the tonality of the lead guitars reach their most expressive as the atmosphere of the album has at this point been well-established.
‘New Helvetia’ is the ballad of the album with a seemingly dire message from the Victorian Era which is as poignant today as it was then. The subdued atmosphere of the album begins to ascend once more as ‘That’s When Everybody Gets Hurt’ takes root in the ears. Need a song to listen to as the sun is setting on a dreary day? That’s your serum. Access point number two for the plebeian masses arrives swiftly as the album nears peak number two with ‘We (1848).’ Simple chord progressions which would be fairly bland if it weren’t for the unique sound of Pyogenesis and the awkward delivery of some of the lyrics. By this alone, we go from one of the best songs on the album to another. ‘Blaze, My Northern Flame’ makes the best use of asyllabic growls since early 2000s Opeth and beautifully tows the melodeath line.
Bookended by both the shortest and longest tracks on the album, A Kingdom to Disappear concludes most appropriately with ‘Everlasting Pain.’ I’m very much looking forward to getting a lyric sheet for this album so I can investigate the stories beyond Kaspar Hauser and the Spring of Nations. By far one of the most unique sounding metal bands of the early year, A Kingdom to Disappear will leave us all in high anticipation for the rounding out of the Victorian triumvirate. The previous album A Century in the Curse of Time was released a mere 19 months ago, and hopefully we will not have long to wait until the saga is complete.
Favorite tracks: 7, 8, 2, 3
Recommended if you like: Rammstein, Ayreon, Steampunky Germans
FCC: Clean
