Hope Erodes | Part 1: A gushing review of The Crown

I had learned about them over a year before actually encountering them, from their previous guitarist. Funnily enough, it would turn out I actually knew the current guitarist Tim since way back when. The purple thread of people and tunes keeps on guiding me towards the gems of the music scene.

Since hearing them, I have fallen head over heels in love with their music and energetic stage presence. After going through a few line-up changes, specifically with new additions Tim on guitar and Koen on vocals they’ve been working on their new and improved sound and I AM HERE FOR IT.

I have the immense pleasure of reporting that the final song, As Hope Erodes, off their new EP will drop this Friday the 21st! Another amazing tidbit of news they got to release last week, is that they will be playing at Alcatraz festival this year. Grab your tickets while they’re hot, you will want to be front and centre for this!

The Crown, the EP in question, showcases a fresh and unique voice in the Belgian Metal scene. It is a combination of aggressive rhythms and riffs, with dark and thought provoking lyrics screamed into the airwaves. This album will grab you by the throat and not free you from its claws until the last notes fade away. I usually do not write album reviews, so this post alone should tell you they are the band to look out for!

First up: title song and first release: The Crown.
The searing riffs by Tim & Wim, underlined by an intense thrum of rhythm by Jelle on bass and Hans on drums, will surely quicken your pulse. The lyrics will speak to you of misery and desperation and will leave you melancholy.

Feast yourself on the accompanying music video which should already give you an idea of their live energy.

Building brick by brick
A way to tear me down
Construct my own demise
Possibilities
Of what could be
Saturate my mind

Kingdom of my own misery
Someone help me take it down
You can take the crown,
Take the crown

Save me, all I do is suffer
Save me, all I do is drown
Why won’t you save me
I’ll embrace it
I don’t want to wear the crown

Next up is Burning Ghosts, another dark glimpse into the abyss, albeit with a slightly more melodic undertone. Having said that, the roaring guitars, voice and rhythm section will still tear straight through your soul.

You’ll never walk alone
They whisper haunting me
I’ve got ghosts that lead the way
Feeding on my decay
The ghosts that haunt me
Are living amongst us
My boundaries
They cross them
Ignore them
So unaware
Time to burn
Burn their bridges down

On to my absolute favourite song off the album: Into The Void.
Don’t let the slower buildup to the wall of sound fool you, this one might be the roughest of the bunch, both literally and metaphorically speaking. A raunchy melody with words that will speak to the dirtiest of minds. A song of taking and surrendering control fueled by scorching riffs and a rhythm that penetrates your core.

Bow down
The impulse is taking over me
I want to put
My hands around your throat
Taking control of me
This part I can’t resist
Can’t hold back
Let it out
Bow for me
White to black
I am in control
Eyes roll back
Into the void
Carefully selecting
Instruments to bruise
Not to break
To mark, to use
Shivers down my spine
Shivers down my spine
Admire the marks as you
Pull the ropes
Around your wrists

‘Nough said?

On As Hope Erodes, which will be released this Friday, I will leave you guessing so as not to spoil the surprise. Suffice it to say, it will shatter your heart in a million pieces, and glue it back together again over the course of five minutes and 7 seconds.

All together this EP goes from a hope that is beyond erosion and builds up to a newfound light at the end of the tunnel, all the while moving both your body and your soul.

I have it on good authority they’re already working on some new tunes, and having heard snippets (aah, the joys of being a writer and confidant), they will provide even more of the same eardrum-blowing music and lyrics that will tug on your heartstrings. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, go see them live already! Or if you need some more convincing before you do, wait until part two of this series, where I follow the guys on a wild touralong.

If you still don’t believe me, just read what these industry specialists have to say about Hope Erodes: