What makes Song of The Crippled Bull by Black Crown Initiate notable?

The album garnered attention within the metal community for its ambitious composition and lyrical depth, eventually leading to a signing with eOne Music. Critics praised it as a fresh contribution to the genre, influencing upcoming bands seeking to merge technicality with emotional resonance. Released in early 2013, 'Song of The Crippled Bull' is Black Crown Initiate's debut album, arriving after the band formed in 2012. This record marked their introduction to the metal scene, showcasing their unique blend of progressive and death metal influences that would define their sound.

How many songs are on Song of The Crippled Bull?

Song of The Crippled Bull has 4 tracks, running approximately 21 minutes.

Song of The Crippled Bull

Black Crown Initiate · 2013

21 min · 4 tracks

A dense amalgamation of progressive metal intricacy and atmospheric heaviness, exploring themes of existential struggle and human experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stench of the Iron Age — Opening with intricate guitar work layered over dynamic rhythms, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of historical and personal themes.
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Ghosts She Sends — This track exemplifies the band's ability to fuse melodic elements with aggressive passages, creating a haunting atmosphere that resonates throughout the album.
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Song of the Crippled Bull — The title track encapsulates the thematic essence of the album, blending introspective lyrics with powerful instrumentation that highlights the band's range.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious compositions with varied vocal styles and intricate arrangements, marking a strong debut in progressive metal.

What we noticed

Vocals alternate between clean singing and harsh growls, creating a dynamic contrast that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Each track incorporates atmospheric interludes that serve to build tension before heavier sections, contributing to an overarching sense of unease.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Stench of the Iron Age 7:13
2 Ghosts She Sends 6:27
3 The Mountain Top 3:17
4 Song of the Crippled Bull 4:36

What to play next

Listen next

The Wreckage of Stars

2014

Go back to

Selves We Cannot Forgive

Full Black Crown Initiate discography Artists like Black Crown Initiate

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata