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Crimson Star: Bay View EP

(Melodic) Heavy Rock

3.0/5.0

Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
Unsigned/Self-released
Review: Craig Hartranft
Added: 27.09.2017

And then there were three. Four years ago UK band The Crimson Star was a four-piece and dropped the EP New Road, which I reviewed with some interest. Now they've become a three-piece band, the proverbial power trio, and also dropped the definite article from the band name. As Crimson Star they released a second EP, Driven and now return with a third, Bay View, complete with some curious DIY art.

Crimson Star

There's a biblical idiom that asks, Can a leopard change its spots? The answer is obvious. No. While my last encounter with Crimson Star was four years ago, musically speaking not much has changed with band, whether four members or three. The band still plays heavy rock, a down-tuned mixture of grunge, desert, and some might add stoner rock. Thick riffs and a heavy bottom end are united like conjoined twins, and then pushed along by plodding to moderate pacing. Yet somehow a rock groove sneaks in there. The vocals are deliberate and sullen in parts, but still melodic. If their is some up beat or lively moments, it comes in the guitar solos. Yes, there are guitar solos They have that riff guided focus and vibe of U2's Edge as within La Prom or The Pragmatist.

With all this going for Crimson Star, I still could not help feeling that Bay View seemed disturbingly similar to previous material. This can be perceived, positively, as consistency or, negatively, as redundancy. Either could be considered safe or, alternatively, Crimson Star is simply standing still. That may be it.

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I could not help feeling that Crimson Star's Bay View seemed disturbingly similar to previous material. This can be perceived positively as consistency or negatively as redundancy. Either could be considered safe or, alternatively, Crimson Star is simply standing still.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]