Khonsu - The Xun Protectorate

New song.

Terrific and exotic album in terms of the styles it blends. This is emancipated black metal (not the sewer type reminiscent of those Norwegian BM bands lead by man-hating misfits), a polished and quirky prog metal variety with some 80s electro-pop/industrial influences (albeit in a rather smaller dosage). There is even a Killing Joke vibe to it.

It has no weak tracks, very consistent from start to finish, with highlights beings songs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8. What makes this album not a 10 is the rather unfortunate use of male clean vocals. They are not completely awful, but they can ruin some tracks with potential, such as track 9. Despite the fact that the 9th track feature very good female vocals which should have been used instead of the male cleans. Even instead of the male harsh vocals. This music, while clearly has a foot set up in extreme metal, it is very melodic and borrows heavily from 80s non-commercial quirky pop bands (i.e. Tears for Fears) and female vocals would fit even better than male ones. Another 'complaint', although more of my own nit-picking is that the band does not go a step further with its usage of industrial music. Industrial metal in particular is one of my favorite genres, but too few bands know how to play it well.

The chorus in the 8th tracks is breathtaking. One of the best moments I've had the pleasure to listen this year, which has been rather lackluster, musically speaking.

Revisiting this. What an album.

LEAVE THEM TO KHONSHU

Discovered this during my quest for more cosmic black metal from beyond the darkest stars and I like it. Very Arcturus-y, except for A Dream Of Earth which straight-up reminds me of Neurotech.