Track Listing:
- Bloom
- Marigold
- Firelight
- Dragonfly
- Rust
- Turntail
- Daughter of the Mountain
- Undergrowth
- City Has No Empathy (Acoustic)
The
third album released by Caligulas Horse has seen the bands most
significant leap forward to date. Setting the bar higher than ever
before, Bloom is brilliant blend of progressive sound coupled with a
wide range of genres and styles. This beautifully crafted
homogenisation of unprecedented excellence clearly demonstrates the raw
passion drawn from its creators. Intensely forthright is a term I would
attribute to the creation of this work as Caligula’s Horse appear to
have shuffled off any requirement to sound like any influential
predecessors and provide an album of honesty to their true sound.
Our title track Bloom eases into the album with a tremendously
restrained and beautifully delivered track that will make you ‘wake up’
at the appropriate time and pay the album due attention to the
metaphorical floral metamorphosis.
Marigold impressive lead guitar opener is itself a
perfect representation of the groups approach to their music as it zag
zags between traditional metal and a progressive rock note ballet. An
enormously uplifting sound is achieved by the band both collectively and
individually. The placement of this track is perfect because you feel
thoroughly engulfed with excitement for what may follow on the album.
Firelight is a track that comes to life before our
ears, veritably swelling into existence, born of emotional outpouring.
This uplifting track is sensational both musically and lyrically, and
although I wish the band every conceivable success, I do hope this track
doesn’t suffer the undignified accompaniment to the new model
‘whatever’ advertising a motor vehicle headed for the horizon, rather
than being left to its intended subject.
The album progresses to a true benchmark track titled
Rust that demonstrates the bands capabilities without going over the top
in a ‘try to kick your arse’ overstretched attempt at the incredible.
Bravo CH, very well done. The only negative I would attribute to this
track is that it leaves you wondering if they could possibly top it.
But true to the production perfection of this album, Turntail lifts you
into an atmosphere of unexpected glee and a realisation that Caligula’s
Horse have no intention of including any half arsed album fillers.
We again are subjected to a tremendous celebration of
vocal capability, mixed with impressively fitting riffs, instrumental
peaks and troughs, and percussive brilliance in the drum tracks.
Undergrowth relaxes us back to reality and fittingly
gives a distinct impression of the group musically disappearing back
into a milieu of foliage and leaving the listener a sensation of ‘until
next time’. In itself and exciting concept, however this album will
keep listeners happy for a long while.
Tremendous work by Caligula’s Horse and all
concerned. A truly august album of musical brilliance and a career
milestone for the band.
