Written 3rd June 2024
In the word of modern music, it has become increasingly common that bands who have members that live many miles from each other are able to make albums together. Scott Skopec (guitars, vocals and synths) and Ethan Gifford (guitars) – the two full time members of Brazen Tongue, whose musical partnership dates back twenty years – are based in Chicago and Gothenburg, respectively. Brazen Tongue began their long-distance collaboration in 2017 after reconnecting musically following Gifford’s move to Sweden in 2008. The result of much resilience and adaptability, Of Crackling Embers and Sorrows Drowned is Brazen Tongue’s debut length album.
First track The Weight of Self is a relentless assault on the senses that amalgamates the variety of influences that Brazen Tongue draw from. It encompasses the ferocity of thrash, some of the brutality of death metal and driving intensity of heavy metal. Vocally, this track focuses on guttural growls rather than shrieking highs and, at times, Skopec’s delivery is reminiscent of Machine Head’s Rob Flynn. Lyrically, The Weight of Self explores a journey of self-discovery, spiritual struggle and the search for the replacement of fear with a more harmonious embrace of the unknown. Observing intricate design / All metaphors will fail in time / Holistically defined / An understanding shall arise. Embodying a balance of raw energy and technical prowess, it stands as strong opening statement.
Serving as a damning attack on sections of the media who are the puppeteers of discord and trade in the currency of falsehood, second track Metaviral opens in savage fashion with pounding percussion and ruthless growling vocals. Just over a minute in, orchestral synths bathe the sound with additional foreboding disquiet and despite the overall unforgiving fury of the track, the central guitar solo brings dark melody to proceedings. However, this atmosphere does not last and pummelling barbarity leads us towards the song’s conclusion via short interludes of more traditional heavy metal vocals. Although the inclusion of synths adds another element -not least a whiff of black metal - to the track arrangement, there are moments where they seem to be unusually placed in the mix and are not always easy to pick out. Walking The Parapets continues with similar themes examining the disconnection of some who are the architects of disaster for others. It continues the album with (initially) clean vocals that are set against rapid fire riffs, hammering percussion and hard bass lines. Speaking words that bring fire / To the hearts of fallen men / Bringing kindling to the pyre / Written down in purest form.
Last Train From Mydral – in many ways the most interesting track on the album - opens with something of a surprise in the form of gently picked electric guitars over synths. It is some seventy seconds before bass and drums join, but in this instance, with steadily placed control and a slower tempo. With the most melodic (but still powerful) vocals on the album so far, Skopec begins a poignant narrative reminiscing on a shared experience that was once wonderful and pure. I see it like yesterday / We're boarding the train on the mountainside / Sharing the world with you / A perfect moment in time. While deliberately and understandably highlighting the more aggressive side of their music, the first three tracks might appear a little one dimensional in the world of Brazen Tongue when compared to the different, darkly exquisite sonic vistas – including more progressive aspects - that they create during Last Train From Mydral, the seven-minute running time of which allows for this to occur. As it unfolds, the story deepens and the train empties, leaving our protagonist alone initially in isolation but ultimately leading to his quest to forge a new path.
The Recidivist – another track that piques interest levels - and Beneath The Broken Trees return the listener to more brutal territory; the former - another track that reaches seven minutes - is more experimental and varied with some excellent twin guitar work. The latter is the track on Of Crackling Embers and Sorrows Drowned during which the band’s thrash influences are most clearly defined, while a slower central section coupled almost chant like vocals later in the song that add a truly ominous feel. Brazen Tongue end the album with the ten-minute epic The Maddening Symmetries. Incorporating everything that has gone before, the band revisit the range of sub-genres that the album inhabits, covering a range of tempos, vocal styles, progressive embellishments (certainly towards the end), aggressive, belligerent passages and lyrics that describe moments of fantasy, introspection and self-confrontation. Staring oneself blind to see purpose in the sky / Bleeding hope in every breath / Visions flashing by that cannot be real / A twisted shard of life that cannot grow / Burdens none can bear / You feel the weight always / Sinking through time / Holding you down.
That Skopec and Gifford are the only full-time members of the band and the drumming and bass were contributed by session players appears to be quite obvious. By far the most interesting aspects of the album are the guitars and vocals. In comparison, the bass and drums are often more generic, less inventive and occasionally a little uninspired. Nonetheless, as a debut album, Of Crackling Embers and Sorrows Drowned sets out what the band aimed to achieve and they should be congratulated that it was made at all, particularly considering the geographical implications of such a venture. Brazen Tongue can definitely offer a certain level of brutality - which will please many fans of death metal - but as a fan of a wide variety of sub-genres (including death metal), the tracks in which the band offer more variety are also the more memorable, meaning unlike many albums, Of Crackling Embers and Sorrows Drowned’s strongest material is in the latter two-thirds. Other listeners may find this is not the case depending on their personal tastes. Ultimately, the album is an interesting debut offering from the band and it will be fascinating to see which direction they take on any subsequent release.
Of Crackling Embers and Sorrows Drowned is released on 7th June 2024
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