Description
Natron, the sophomore album from France’s CROWN, is set to hit North American stores on August 21. Decibel Magazine today officially streams the album’s first song, “Serpents.” Pre-order for the album via Candlelight’s official webstore and Bandcamp page is available now with ITunes and Amazon pre-orders beginning July 31.
Discussing the song, “most people on this planet are hiding their true personality or more precisely their soul behind an invisible veil. They build this veil in an effort to protect themselves from reality or each other,” says guitarist/vocalist Stephane Azam. “’Serpents’ represents this very human habit and details how in doing so, it drives us to a darker side of our soul; we become shrouded from everything including ourselves.”
Alcest vocalist Neige contributes to “Serpents” while Khvost from Grave Pleasures (formerly Beastmilk), and Frederyk Rotter of label mates Zatokrev also enrich Natron’s unique sound. “Neige also appears on the song ‘Wings Beating Over Heaven with Michiel Eikenaar/of Nihill,’” confirms Azam.
Hissing electronics, charging guitars, and splashing cymbals of a minimal yet completely effective drum machine, CROWN’s sound is further emboldened by a massive, oppressive bestial roar. Describing the band’s caustic music, Ave Noctum notes, “if Front 242 had been formed by members of Neurosis and Isis with lead weights chained to the guitar strings.. good. Very good.” “Nearly every song pounds with the thunder of Neurosis, Cult Of Luna, or Batillus; yet I’m also hearing some recognizable Godflesh as an influence which should certainly speak to some,” comments New Noise Magazine.
