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Blog Categories Review Cthulhu Dreamt - Precursor - Reviewed By metal-digest!

Cthulhu Dreamt - Precursor - Reviewed By metal-digest! Monday February 13 2023, 5:55 PM

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Cthulhu Dreamt - Precursor - Reviewed By metal-digest ! Check it out here at this link: https://metal-digest.com/2023/01/25/cthulu-dreamt-precursor-ep/

‘Precursor’ is not your typical metal album. First off, it’s actually an EP despite being 14 songs and 51 minutes long. That seems like a full-length album, right? Well, the last several songs on the album are remixes and instrumentals. The oddity doesn’t stop here either.

‘Precursor’ is actually the soundtrack to a multimedia universe involving a TTRPG, a prequel novel, and an online ARG. This writer is not a tabletop gamer, so we’ll focus on the music for now, but armed with that knowledge it illuminates why the band made some of the choices they did. For instance, the opening is a cinematic bass swell reminiscent of the old THX sound in theatres. It rumbles the speakers before the proper metal riffing begins. It’s not long before a Middle Eastern atmosphere takes hold, only to be followed later by monastic chants.

‘Precursor’ has a wide variety of tones and vibes. I imagine knowing the story would make the varying atmospheres logical in placement. There’s also very little in the way of screaming or growling. This is mostly a clean album with complex clean singing harmonies. This is also likely due to the music being the accompaniment for the game. I also wonder if loud screaming vocals would be a distraction for a group of friends gathered around the table playing the ‘Cthulhu Dreamt’ game.

As for the quality of the music on its own, it’s excellent. There aren’t any musical fireworks or new inventions; the music is simply well-executed. It’s like going to a restaurant and getting one of the best steaks you’ve ever had. The band doesn’t bring something out of reach like A5 wagyu beef filet cooked in black truffle oil. It’s a regular NY strip and you wonder how on earth this is so good, better even than a lesser restaurant would serve despite having higher-end ingredients.

This “EP” is too long when taken on its own but as a soundtrack to a game that’s meant to be played for hours; perhaps this is the correct choice. The instrumentals drag on when listened to on their own, but again perhaps this is correct when taken in the context of an interactive experience. Give this one a spin if you’re feeling adventurous. metal-digest

Release Date: January 20, 2023

FFO: Gojira, Deftones, Katatonia

Location: Minnesota

Short Bio: Created to tell a story as only can be done through music, Cthulhu Dreamt explores ideas of loss, grief, depression and fear and takes listeners through a musical kaleidoscope of genres from heavy to ambient.

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