Caligula's Horse - Charcoal Grace, out now!

[cramx3]

I'll be listening but maybe not until the weekend, but I certainly need to get many listens in before the show next week 

The singles were all good so my expectations are fairly high.

[MinistroRaven]

Fritzinger album review
https://lotsofmuzik.com/caligulas-horse-charcoal-grace-album-review-by-friedrich-christian-stenzel/

[Jamesman42]

New album 'Charcoal Grace' comes out January 26th.

Oh shit, this is tomorrow! I didn't realize, someone needs to update the thread title.

[Lonk]

Listening now 

Edit: That was pretty good. I'll need to give it a couple more spins but as of right now, this is competing for my favorite CH's album.

[me7]

After three spins, I'd call it mind-blowing. Golem is easily the least interesting song on the album and even it is still great.

[ariich]

Not sure about favourite as I don't feel (so far) that it's as vibrant and colourful as In Contact, but definitely a great album. The Charcoal Grace suite especially is so good.

[goo-goo]

Liking it more than Rise Radiant. Very promising release but need a few more spins.

[lonestar]

Digging into my first full spin, loving what I'm hearing.


Wondering, I'd imagine they'll play the title suite, do you all think that'll bump Graves from the potential setlist?

[cramx3]

Digging into my first full spin, loving what I'm hearing.


Wondering, I'd imagine they'll play the title suite, do you all think that'll bump Graves from the potential setlist?

Not sure.  Being that it's their first US tour, you'd think they might want to play it.... but there's only so much room in the set.  I've got to imagine they also want to focus on the new stuff.  They played Graves at both previous US shows at Progpower.  I think it takes a back seat here, but just my guess.

[Crow]

listened to about half of this to confirm that this band is no longer for me
idk. it's. definitely a prog metal album released in 2024. i didn't like the new haken last year either but at least they were trying things on it, kinda. CH's sound hasn't progressed an inch since their debut, somehow, and it's reeeally been getting tired on these last few albums (i include in contact in that sorry fans. could even include bloom bcuz honestly nothing they've done since the sophomore album has ever really wowed me. except graves graves is pretty good ig)

it is very funny that i was so far ahead of the curve with this band and now i do not care about them at all, i suppose

...does anyone wanna make a new thread so i don't have to be stuck as the OPr? 

[me7]

It's fine that it doesn't connect with you, but this album is for from a stagnation. I think it's the biggest leap forward since Tide, Thief & River.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

It's fine that it doesn't connect with you, but this album is for from a stagnation. I think it's the biggest leap forward since Tide, Thief & River.

From my first listen, I would have to agree with this. They've finally made some progress in their sound. They spent too long trying to perfect a certain sound, which I think they peaked with on In Contact and then they tried to recapture that magic on Rise Radiant, but stumbled by trying to sound too much like modern rock/metal.

[Crow]

...if there's any progression i don't hear it, then  lots of the same modern prog metal sounds i've heard before and the same kinds of riffs, hooks, solos they've had since the very beginning, idk man

[mike099]

I really am considering going to the Nashville show.  Have not listened to the new album, but Earthside is opening and I love their new album.  Also a plus the show is on a Saturday night.

Edit: First spin of Charcoal Grace and solid album.

[Fritzinger]

...if there's any progression i don't hear it, then  lots of the same modern prog metal sounds i've heard before and the same kinds of riffs, hooks, solos they've had since the very beginning, idk man

Wat 

It's totally fine if you don't like it but there is plenty of progression in their catalogue. The difference between Radiant and Charcoal alone is huge. And I think their sound has become a lot more refined and organized compared to the overloaded and a little immature debut.

[Buddyhunter1]

As someone who doesn't even listen to this band this exchange is amusing because everyone on the side of the album being a big leap / departure for them is giving zero examples why.

[cramx3]

Just bought the album, but haven't listened. I didn't feel like the singles were a departure from their sound and style. I'm going to guess the album really isn't too different but maybe just a better album. That's fine by me. Bands don't need to "progress" if they keep pumping out good music IMO. I liked Rise Radiant more than some here it seems so I really expect to like this one a lot. I'm just not sure I care about progression in this case.

[me7]

Their music has become denser and more layered over time. This album takes a step back but in a very deliberate way. The music is often sparser, but the quota of modulations and rhythmic changes that give me goosebumps is higher than on any previous album. Some sections (and the singles "Golem" and to a lesser extent "World breaths with me") are of course very familiar, but the Charcoal Grace suite in particular is a new kind of beast.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

As someone who doesn't even listen to this band this exchange is amusing because everyone on the side of the album being a big leap / departure for them is giving zero examples why.

Oh, I never said it was a big departure from their overall sound. It isn't. I was just pointing out that the band seemed to stagnate with Rise Radiant and this new album I can finally see some progression. It's nothing earth-shattering, but it is progress. At least to my ears...

[Buddyhunter1]

As someone who doesn't even listen to this band this exchange is amusing because everyone on the side of the album being a big leap / departure for them is giving zero examples why.

Oh, I never said it was a big departure from their overall sound. It isn't. I was just pointing out that the band seemed to stagnate with Rise Radiant and this new album I can finally see some progression. It's nothing earth-shattering, but it is progress. At least to my ears...

Such as? You're just reinforcing my observation.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

As someone who doesn't even listen to this band this exchange is amusing because everyone on the side of the album being a big leap / departure for them is giving zero examples why.

Oh, I never said it was a big departure from their overall sound. It isn't. I was just pointing out that the band seemed to stagnate with Rise Radiant and this new album I can finally see some progression. It's nothing earth-shattering, but it is progress. At least to my ears...

Such as? You're just reinforcing my observation.

I need some more time with the album so I can properly collect my thoughts.

[King Postwhore]

Seeing them this Friday.

[Crow]

buddy i think you care about this more than i do 
i only commented at all because i am annoyingly still the thread owner

[twosuitsluke]

All I know is that I didn't really like Rise Radiant (it was just very underwhelming), but I do like Charcoal Grace. Their progression writing better songs.

[mike099]

Just listened to The Tide, The Thief and Rivers End after listening to Charcoal Grace
and feel the tide, thief and rivers is more interesting.  I will be purchasing this one tonight.

[lonestar]

After a few listens, the one thing I can firmly say is they HAVE to play Mute. God I love that song.

[Jamesman42]

After a few listens, the one thing I can firmly say is they HAVE to play Mute. God I love that song.

Haven't listened to the whole album yet, but yeah this song is great. Thanks for pointing it out for me.

[Fritzinger]

As someone who doesn't even listen to this band this exchange is amusing because everyone on the side of the album being a big leap / departure for them is giving zero examples why.

I did 

Fritzinger album review
https://lotsofmuzik.com/caligulas-horse-charcoal-grace-album-review-by-friedrich-christian-stenzel/

[hefdaddy42]

Several years removed from the last time I listened to any Caligula's Horse.

Midway through the new album, and this is very impressive.

[Nachtmerrie]

After a first casual listen yesterday the album sounded pretty interesting.
Second listen today in the car. Musically it´s pretty impressive with beautiful melodies all over the album, especially the guitars stand out. Vocals kind of ruin it for me. I remember the vocalist having quite some punch but this feels like he´s in the same higher tones almost the whole album.

Might be perception or the quality of my car stereo. I´ll give it another try.

[cramx3]

Gave a couple listens over the weekend and a few more today.  I still very much need more listens.  Theses songs have a lot of depth that I'm not immediately connecting with. (that's not necessarily a bad thing, nor a good thing, just a more time thing). I do enoy it overall though, but if I had to judge it so far, I'd say it's my least favorite album of theirs though.  BUT like I said, I need more listens to really "get" some of these longer and denser songs.  I didn't listen to the singles too much either so rally other than Golem, I need a lot of digestion and more listens. 

[romdrums]

listened to about half of this to confirm that this band is no longer for me
idk. it's. definitely a prog metal album released in 2024. i didn't like the new haken last year either but at least they were trying things on it, kinda. CH's sound hasn't progressed an inch since their debut, somehow, and it's reeeally been getting tired on these last few albums (i include in contact in that sorry fans. could even include bloom bcuz honestly nothing they've done since the sophomore album has ever really wowed me. except graves graves is pretty good ig)

it is very funny that i was so far ahead of the curve with this band and now i do not care about them at all, i suppose

...does anyone wanna make a new thread so i don't have to be stuck as the OPr? 

I listened to this album on my lunch break, and while I definitely need a few more listens for it to sink in, there was some immediate things that I noticed. Regarding the production, mix, riffs, etc. I think these songs would be better if they didn't resort to djeneric djent riffage and that one drum sound that nearly everyone uses. The Images and Words snare sound sucked in 1992, why keep using it in 2024? It sounds to me like the drums were quantized and gridded to death, and the natural drum sounds were replaced with whatever GetGoodDrums or SlateTrigger5 presets are hot right now. Many of the songs sound like a simpler Haken with a better vocalist, which is what really turned me off about Rise Radiant.

That said, I think there are lot of interesting ideas being presented, especially on Charcoal Grace pt II. Golem is pretty cool as well. As I said, I think I need some more time to listen to this a few more times to really form an opinion.

[NoFred]

I will interview Sam Vallen tomorrow night, do you guys have any questions you'd want me to ask him?

Hey buddy, we published your interview today (video and transcript). I really LOVED this one, it was like Sam was so into it that he could have talked for hours.

https://lotsofmuzik.com/an-exclusive-interview-with-sam-vallen-of-caligulas-horse/

Yeah it was really fun talking with Sam. He is a very interesting character and fantastic musician. And he knows SO much about music  I love that he wrote a dissertation just about harmonic vocabulary of Steely Dan music. Not to mention his 300 pages strong doctorate (really interesting read for anyone interested in progressive rock by the way).

Besides, the new album is fantastic. Sets the bar very high for upcoming albums in 2024.

The interview was really refreshing for some reason, Sam's enthusiasm really shone through. Thanks for that.

First few listens of the album I'm loving The World Breathes With Me. That's something new for them that also includes that secret "somber optimism" they convey in their melody and lyric writing.

Mute is beautiful too, given its high regard in reviews I expected their best song ever and it almost is. Sounds like The Ascent pt 2 to me, in fact I'm thinking The Ascent followed by Mute is a complete work, hope they're both on next setlist (will be there to see them in a couple of weeks). Not sure it can be their best cause Songs for no one exists... maybe musically less complex but wins on account of how big and earnest it is.

Listened to the title track/epic but not too closely yet, still digging the first and last tracks more. One of those works that will have to grow with time.

[lonestar]

My ideal set would be to have Mute open, Charcoal Grace close, and Graves as an encore. Fill in the rest as needed.

[me7]

Surprised to hear that someone doesn't like the vocals. Jim's performance here made me shed a tear or two.