ALBUM REVIEW: Cirith Ungol – Dark Parade

Californian epic Heavy Metal masters CIRITH UNGOL are back with their sixth album. Set for release via Metal Blade Records on October 20th.

Lead single “Velocity (S.E.P.)” kicks right in with pummelling rhythms and soaring leads, blasting us in the face with pure metallic fury of grandiose proportions. Tim’s unique vocals cut like a razor through the massive mix of guitars, bass and drums, with the entire band feeling full of rejuvenated energy and creativity. After a phenomenal comeback LP and EP, it’s great to feel that this titanic band is not running out of steam when a record starts this strong. The strong sense of dynamic slithers between epic conquests and brooding moments of doom, something that has become a core facet of Cirith Ungol being such a wonderful band. Both on record and live, their bewitching and ensnaring sense of storytelling is second to none. Of equal quality is their songwriting and musicianship, which is on full display here with a truly monolithic opening to their newest opus.

Packing one hell of a punch, the monstrously grooving sections conveyed by an organic production crush with the might one would expect from such a huge band. Emotionally evocative leads often give the right contrast to those more aggressive riff hooks, offering a classic compositional angle that feels as timeless as ever. While the crisp guitars seem to never falter, the clunky bass lines offer just as much strength to the stringed section of the band, each fitting into its own place in the sound tremendously. These mighty riff monsters ride waves of punishingly hard-hitting drums to ensure no rhythmic blow misses its target. Vocally, Cirith Ungol are one of those bands many will love or hate, but for those who love Tim’s banshee shrieks as much as myself, he sounds as excellent as ever. Getting into the meaty centre of this epic quest, it truly feels like Cirith Ungol are a band continuing their delivery of greatness. While the first three albums will always likely be regarded as the classics, they still have so much to offer and it would be foolish to overlook that.

The unique combination of Lovecraftian horror and fantasy lends to the marvellous darkened yet triumphant feeling of the band. Conceptual and yet never becoming pretentious, this is clearly a creative explosion with plenty to keep you coming back, both musically and thematically. Forging with strength until its ending, “Dark Parade” is one of those albums only Cirith Ungol could conjure up. Occasional elements of experimentation such as classical guitar and organs have been heard here and there, showing they are still a band unafraid to try new things while the roots of their sound as as firmly grounded as ever. Six albums into a lengthy career and with a hiatus splitting it up, the life of Cirith Ungol seems to be unable to escape its fate; giving us the Heavy Metal we crave from them. As one of the rare classic era bands who still deliver music of the same quality as their heyday, I am extremely pleased to hear such a victorious new addition from a band I hold in such high regard.

Cirith Ungol, a band with a reputation to live up to as one of the most cult classics of the epic Heavy Metal movement. Once more they have given us a record of real value and purpose. This journey is a great pleasure to embark on with the band whose discography remains consistent and yet always strives to move forward. As far as I am concerned, if you like Heavy Metal, this is unmissable.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 8 out of 10.

https://cirithungol.bandcamp.com/album/dark-parade