Os australianos do Caligula’s Horse chegam ao seu sexto álbum, Charcoal Grace, trazendo uma surpresa não apenas em sua formação, mas também na profundidade emocional e musical do trabalho. Após a saída do guitarrista Adrian Goleby, a banda decidiu seguir como um quarteto, composto por Jim Grey nos vocais, Sam Vallen na guitarra, Dale Prinsse no baixo e Josh Griffin na bateria. A decisão de dispensar a guitarra rítmica, que esteve presente em todos os outros cinco álbuns da banda, marca uma nova fase criativa.
Embora Charcoal Grace só tenha sido lançado no final de janeiro de 2024, a sua concepção começou em 2020. Após o lançamento de Rise Radiant e a interrupção das turnês devido à pandemia, a banda aproveitou o tempo para compor. O resultado é um álbum que reflete uma profunda carga melancólica e introspectiva que captura o impacto da pandemia e oferece uma experiência rica em contrastes entre o obscuro e o luminoso. Como Jim Grey descreve, “Charcoal Grace nasce da desesperança estática que a pandemia impôs à banda e ao mundo. É um álbum que avalia as experiências e resultados desse tempo, avançando em direção a um futuro mais esperançoso após lidar com o maior revés que a banda já experimentou.”
A faixa de abertura, "The World Breathes with Me", com seus 10 minutos, estabelece o tom do álbum com uma introdução de guitarra sutil que evolui para uma explosão de peso, embora de maneira um pouco mais suave do que o habitual para o grupo. A música é marcada por constantes mudanças e um desenvolvimento cuidadoso dentro de uma paleta de cores que vai das mais sombrias às mais luminosas, sempre bem orientada. "Golem" é a faixa mais pesada e direta do álbum, com riffs impressionantes de guitarra e uma seção rítmica dinâmica. Os vocais são polidos nos versos e enérgicos nos refrãos, trazendo uma carga emotiva que convida a cantar junto.
O epicentro do álbum é a faixa título, dividida em quatro partes que totalizam cerca de 24 minutos de uma jornada musical impressionante. "Charcoal Grace I: Prey", a maior das partes, começa com arpejos de guitarra e evolui para uma atmosfera sólida e quase orquestral, com vocais melódicos que adicionam uma harmonia triste à peça. A música é uma combinação equilibrada de agressividade e suavidade, enquanto entrega um refrão cativante. "Charcoal Grace II: A World Without" inicia com arpejos de violão e gradualmente se constrói com notas de guitarra e bateria, criando um ambiente enérgico e sussurrante. O solo de guitarra é um destaque que eleva a faixa a um novo nível.
"Charcoal Grace III: Vigil" é a parte mais suave do épico, começando com violão, voz e notas suaves de baixo. A música mantém uma constante emotiva e sutil, tanto instrumentalmente quanto nos vocais, sem explodir como se poderia esperar. "Charcoal Grace IV: Give Me Hell" é a parte mais sombria e intensa, com uma seção rítmica pulsante, uma guitarra poderosa e vocais carregados de raiva, incluindo um solo de guitarra matador. As quatro partes de "Charcoal Grace" exploram a narrativa da convivência – ou a falta dela – entre uma criança e seu pai. A forma como a história se desenvolve é reminiscente dos trabalhos mais conceituais do Marillion, especialmente Brave, e a música reflete as variações emocionais da narrativa.
Após o épico, "Sails" oferece um respiro com sua beleza melancólica e dramática. É uma das baladas mais impressionantes da banda, destacando-se como talvez o momento mais emocionante do álbum."The Stormchaser" é uma faixa equilibrada e um dos singles do álbum e que resume bem a essência da obra como um todo por meio de excelentes suas linhas vocais. O álbum se encerra com "Mute", uma faixa que demonstra a maestria vocal de Jim Grey e apresenta uma sonoridade enérgica e orquestral. Com 12 minutos de duração, a música oferece uma montanha-russa de emoções, desde momentos pesados até outros suaves e reflexivos. O uso de flauta, reminiscente do Genesis da era Peter Gabriel, é uma surpresa agradável e um detalhe que enriquece ainda mais o disco.
Charcoal Grace é um dos álbuns mais marcantes do catálogo do Caligula’s Horse, mostrando que mesmo dentro de um nicho onde inovações são cada vez mais raras, a banda consegue entregar um trabalho fresco e emocionante. Um álbum tocante, com músicas sagazes, bem construídas e verdadeiramente progressivas.
================================The Australians of Caligula’s Horse arrive at their sixth album, Charcoal Grace, bringing a surprise not only in their lineup but also in the emotional and musical depth of the work. After the departure of guitarist Adrian Goleby, the band decided to continue as a quartet, consisting of Jim Grey on vocals, Sam Vallen on guitar, Dale Prinsse on bass, and Josh Griffin on drums. The decision to forgo the rhythm guitar, which had been present on all the band’s previous five albums, marks a new creative phase.
Although Charcoal Grace was only released at the end of January 2024, its conception began in 2020. After the release of Rise Radiant and the interruption of tours due to the pandemic, the band used the time to compose. The result is an album that reflects a profound melancholy and introspective charge that captures the impact of the pandemic and offers a rich experience in contrasts between darkness and light. As Jim Grey describes, “Charcoal Grace is born from the static hopelessness that the pandemic imposed on the band and the world. It’s an album that assesses the experiences and outcomes of that time, moving towards a more hopeful future after dealing with the biggest setback the band has ever experienced.”
The opening track, "The World Breathes with Me," with its 10 minutes, sets the tone of the album with a subtle guitar introduction that evolves into a burst of weight, albeit somewhat softer than usual for the group. The song is marked by constant changes and careful development within a palette of colors that ranges from the darkest to the brightest, always well guided. "Golem" is the heaviest and most direct track on the album, with impressive guitar riffs and a dynamic rhythm section. The vocals are polished in the verses and energetic in the choruses, bringing an emotional charge that invites sing-along.
The epicenter of the album is the title track, divided into four parts totaling around 24 minutes of an impressive musical journey. "Charcoal Grace I: Prey," the longest of the parts, begins with guitar arpeggios and evolves into a solid and almost orchestral atmosphere, with melodic vocals adding a sad harmony to the piece. The music is a balanced combination of aggression and softness, while delivering a catchy chorus. "Charcoal Grace II: A World Without" starts with acoustic guitar arpeggios and gradually builds with guitar and drum notes, creating an energetic and whispering environment. The guitar solo is a highlight that elevates the track to a new level.
"Charcoal Grace III: Vigil" is the softest part of the epic, starting with acoustic guitar, vocals, and gentle bass notes. The song maintains a constant and subtle emotional tone, both instrumentally and vocally, without exploding as one might expect. "Charcoal Grace IV: Give Me Hell" is the darkest and most intense part, with a pulsating rhythm section, powerful guitar, and anger-filled vocals, including a killer guitar solo. The four parts of "Charcoal Grace" explore the narrative of the relationship—or lack thereof—between a child and their father. The way the story unfolds is reminiscent of the more conceptual works of Marillion, especially Brave, and the music reflects the emotional variations of the narrative.
After the epic, "Sails" offers a breath with its melancholic and dramatic beauty. It’s one of the band’s most impressive ballads, standing out as perhaps the most emotional moment on the album. "The Stormchaser" is a balanced track and one of the album’s singles, which sums up well the essence of the work as a whole through its excellent vocal lines. The album closes with "Mute," a track that showcases Jim Grey’s vocal mastery and presents an energetic and orchestral sound. With 12 minutes in length, the song offers an emotional rollercoaster, from heavy moments to others that are soft and reflective. The use of flute, reminiscent of Genesis during the Peter Gabriel era, is a pleasant surprise and a detail that enriches the album even further.
Charcoal Grace is one of the most remarkable albums in Caligula’s Horse’s catalog, showing that even within a niche where innovations are increasingly rare, the band manages to deliver fresh and exciting work. A touching album with clever, well-constructed, and truly progressive songs.
NOTA: 8/10
Tracks Listing
1. The World Breathes with Me (10:00)
2. Golem (5:20)
3. Charcoal Grace I: Prey (7:48)
4. Charcoal Grace II: A World Without (6:48)
5. Charcoal Grace III: Vigil (3:22)
6. Charcoal Grace IV: Give Me Hell (6:13)
7. Sails (4:31)
8. The Stormchaser (5:57)
9. Mute (12:00)
Ouça, "The World Breathes with Me"
The Australians of Caligula’s Horse arrive at their sixth album, Charcoal Grace, bringing a surprise not only in their lineup but also in the emotional and musical depth of the work. After the departure of guitarist Adrian Goleby, the band decided to continue as a quartet, consisting of Jim Grey on vocals, Sam Vallen on guitar, Dale Prinsse on bass, and Josh Griffin on drums. The decision to forgo the rhythm guitar, which had been present on all the band’s previous five albums, marks a new creative phase.
Although Charcoal Grace was only released at the end of January 2024, its conception began in 2020. After the release of Rise Radiant and the interruption of tours due to the pandemic, the band used the time to compose. The result is an album that reflects a profound melancholy and introspective charge that captures the impact of the pandemic and offers a rich experience in contrasts between darkness and light. As Jim Grey describes, “Charcoal Grace is born from the static hopelessness that the pandemic imposed on the band and the world. It’s an album that assesses the experiences and outcomes of that time, moving towards a more hopeful future after dealing with the biggest setback the band has ever experienced.”
The opening track, "The World Breathes with Me," with its 10 minutes, sets the tone of the album with a subtle guitar introduction that evolves into a burst of weight, albeit somewhat softer than usual for the group. The song is marked by constant changes and careful development within a palette of colors that ranges from the darkest to the brightest, always well guided. "Golem" is the heaviest and most direct track on the album, with impressive guitar riffs and a dynamic rhythm section. The vocals are polished in the verses and energetic in the choruses, bringing an emotional charge that invites sing-along.
The epicenter of the album is the title track, divided into four parts totaling around 24 minutes of an impressive musical journey. "Charcoal Grace I: Prey," the longest of the parts, begins with guitar arpeggios and evolves into a solid and almost orchestral atmosphere, with melodic vocals adding a sad harmony to the piece. The music is a balanced combination of aggression and softness, while delivering a catchy chorus. "Charcoal Grace II: A World Without" starts with acoustic guitar arpeggios and gradually builds with guitar and drum notes, creating an energetic and whispering environment. The guitar solo is a highlight that elevates the track to a new level.
"Charcoal Grace III: Vigil" is the softest part of the epic, starting with acoustic guitar, vocals, and gentle bass notes. The song maintains a constant and subtle emotional tone, both instrumentally and vocally, without exploding as one might expect. "Charcoal Grace IV: Give Me Hell" is the darkest and most intense part, with a pulsating rhythm section, powerful guitar, and anger-filled vocals, including a killer guitar solo. The four parts of "Charcoal Grace" explore the narrative of the relationship—or lack thereof—between a child and their father. The way the story unfolds is reminiscent of the more conceptual works of Marillion, especially Brave, and the music reflects the emotional variations of the narrative.
After the epic, "Sails" offers a breath with its melancholic and dramatic beauty. It’s one of the band’s most impressive ballads, standing out as perhaps the most emotional moment on the album. "The Stormchaser" is a balanced track and one of the album’s singles, which sums up well the essence of the work as a whole through its excellent vocal lines. The album closes with "Mute," a track that showcases Jim Grey’s vocal mastery and presents an energetic and orchestral sound. With 12 minutes in length, the song offers an emotional rollercoaster, from heavy moments to others that are soft and reflective. The use of flute, reminiscent of Genesis during the Peter Gabriel era, is a pleasant surprise and a detail that enriches the album even further.
Charcoal Grace is one of the most remarkable albums in Caligula’s Horse’s catalog, showing that even within a niche where innovations are increasingly rare, the band manages to deliver fresh and exciting work. A touching album with clever, well-constructed, and truly progressive songs.
NOTA: 8/10
Tracks Listing
1. The World Breathes with Me (10:00)
2. Golem (5:20)
3. Charcoal Grace I: Prey (7:48)
4. Charcoal Grace II: A World Without (6:48)
5. Charcoal Grace III: Vigil (3:22)
6. Charcoal Grace IV: Give Me Hell (6:13)
7. Sails (4:31)
8. The Stormchaser (5:57)
9. Mute (12:00)
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