KINGCROW: Hopium (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Six years have passed since “The Persistence”, an album that marked a turning point in Kingcrow's career. With “Hopium”, the Italians take their time to rethink their music and push back the boundaries of their sound, while facing up to the pressure of high expectations from their fans. This period of time, unprecedented in their discography, seems to have served as a creative laboratory where every detail has been meticulously worked on.

Like bands like Vola, Kingcrow here embraces a bold modernization. With “Hopium”, the band takes a marked turn towards electro sounds without denying its progressive roots. This direction doesn't just add synthetic layers: it profoundly transforms the band's sonic identity. Where others might have sunk into impersonal coldness, Kingcrow brings a warm, human touch, making this evolution more than just a stylistic exercise.

From the very first notes, “Hopium” stands out for its ability to play with contrasts and progressions. The album opens with calm, almost introspective ambiences, before erupting into moments of electric tension ('Kintsugi', 'The Glitch'). This crescendo structure is particularly striking in tracks such as 'Losing Game', where the riffs and percussive rhythmics come like a deliverance, after a long build-up of tension. This subtle yet effective interplay of dynamics gives the whole a cinematic dimension, as if each track were telling part of a larger story. The contrasts between tracks accentuate this impression. 'New Moon Harvest', with its ethereal, contemplative ambience, stands in stark contrast to the more edgy, energy-filled 'Vicious Circle'. These differences do not fragment the album, but on the contrary reinforce its coherence, offering a rich and varied palette of emotions.

One of the strengths of “Hopium” lies in its exemplary production. Each instrument is given its own clear space, allowing the music to breathe and every detail to be heard. The arrangements testify to the care taken in the construction of each track. The electro textures, in particular, are measured out with surgical precision, adding subtle layers without ever drowning out the rest.

Diego Marchesi's expressive, deeply human voice acts as a common thread throughout the album. Sometimes melancholy, sometimes exalted, it blends perfectly with these changing moods, adding an emotional touch that anchors the sonic experiments in a more intimate dimension. With 'Hopium', the title track, Kingcrow reaches the pinnacle of his modern approach. Every element, from the mechanical rhythm to the synthetic layers, contributes to creating a hypnotic, almost narcotic atmosphere, true to the idea of an addictive substance.

Where electro could be cold and disembodied, the band manages to infuse it with unexpected warmth, creating a subtle balance between machine and emotion. In modernizing its work, Kingcrow never loses sight of its progressive heritage. The band continues to cultivate a strong melodic approach, while exploring more accessible territory. “Hopium” moves away from the codes of classic prog metal to become a universal work, capable of seducing an audience beyond those accustomed to the genre. - Official website

KINGCROW

HOPIUM

SEASON OF MIST

PROGRESSIVE METAL