CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX will embark on their European autumn tour at the Iduna in Drachten, the Netherlands this Sunday, November 12th.
The eclectic UK rockers will be joined by their label mates EARTH ELECTRIC and Swedish multi-instrumentalist JONATHAN HULTÉN.
CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX will continue to deliver sweat dripping shows in five more countries throughout November including a performance at the Hammer of Doom Festival in Würzburg, Germany until a final curtain at the O13 in the Netherlands in Tilburg on the 25th of this month.
Mastermind Justin Greaves commented “The grey of November is bound to see that damn black dog running free. What could be better than to unleash our CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX to fight this miserable creature with a heavy dose of rock. Coming to a place near you or at least as close as it gets, we will not only present our latest album, ‘Bronze’ in a final round, but also play some of those classics you keep asking for. Here we go, don’t miss us kicking that black dog – metaphorically as no animal cruelty will ever be supported by us.”
CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX will be touring in support of their latest album ‘Bronze’, which is still available in various formats through the Season of Mist shop. Listen to the album in full on YouTube at this link: https://tinyurl.com/lvqhoau
Bronze consists primarily of copper, but it is the inclusion of other metals and non-metals that gives this alloy its specific characteristics. Ever since mankind discovered the secret of its making thousands of years ago, the golden and shining bronze has changed the course of history, spawned destruction and war, yet also been crafted into desired objects of extreme beauty.
You will find each of these traits inherent in the sixth studio album of CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX, which is aptly taking its title from this fateful alloy. Instead of copper, dark rock forms the base ingredient in this musical amalgamation process, but it is the addition of metal, progressive influences, gothic, wave, even pop, and many other elements as well as a changing cast of musicians that result in each song shining with its own individual hue and tone. Yet a deep sense of anguish, despair, longing, loss, melancholy, and nostalgia forms a binding force that holds ‘Bronze’ together and formulates an encompassing theme.
This musical darkness is reflected in the lyrical themes dominating the record, which partly revolve around battling inner demons and resisting oppression. The constant struggle comes as no surprise when taking into account that poetic mastermind Justin Greaves has recently gone public about his personal fight against severe depression. For him, not letting the “black dog” devour you is a big message mixed within his songs.
CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX have always confounded critics trying to pin their style down ever since multi-instrumentalist Justin Greaves recorded his first ideas in 2004 – which earned them tagging attempts ranging from “stoner prog” to “freak folk” to “psychedelic doom”. Despite the wide range of musical leanings within their albums, there are a unifying dark streak and sombre melancholy running through the songs. Founder Justin Greaves had already made himself a name as drummer for IRON MONKEY and ELECTRIC WIZARD among others. When the multi-instrumentalist finally decided to stand on his own musical feet, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX was born as a project. This involves a changing cast of musicians and live set-ups, which mirror the ever ongoing evolution of the band and the fact that the songs were mostly not composed with their live performance on mind.
Between 2007 and 2014, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX released a string of five critically highly acclaimed studio albums – from ‘A Love of Shared Disasters’ (2007), via ‘The Resurrectionists’ (2009), ‘Night Raider’ (2009), ‘(Mankind) The Crafty Ape’ (2012), until ‘White Light Generator’ (2014). This was complemented by EPs ‘I, Vigilante’ (2010), ‘No Sadness or Farewell’ (2012), and ‘Oh’ Ech-oes’ (2015), the live recording ‘Live Poznan’ (2013), and the ‘200 Tons of Bad Luck’ compilation (2009). Their ‘New Dark Age Tour EP 2015 A.D.’ was the band’s first release on Season of Mist that came with an extensive homage to PINK FLOYD. The strong influence of the UK rock giants can still be felt on ‘Bronze’, yet while CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX never denied their roots, this outstanding act has long created their own sonic cosmos and now takes it a dimension further. Be warned that ‘Bronze’ will infect you with a most deep fascination. Shine on…
‘Bronze’ was recorded at Chapel Studio and mixed with Karl Daniel Lidén.
