IN CROOKED WONDERMENT Bring Their Heavy Theatric Flair To New Single "Warlord"

"Warlord" is out now [photo: In Crooked Wonderment]

I don't think it's a complete surprise to say my favourite bands have always had a taste for the theatrics - the sprawling set builds of an Iron Maiden concert, the lore-driven storytelling of Ghost, and more recently the blood-tinged vampire love affair that is Creeper. Quite simply, the alternative scene and theatre have always gone in hand. Even more so if it's a band with a frontman who has a background in stage acting. Such is IN CROOKED WONDERMENT, emerging from the gothic depths of Birmingham. The band have released a brand new single, "Warlord", with plenty of heavy theatric flair to indulge in.

A slow, resonant, acoustic guitar sets the scene, sounding almost like water droplets hitting a cold, stone ground. There is a bareness, a trudging rhythm, soon joined by the rest of the band. It's here the dynamics swell, the melody beginning to shine through. Vocalist Conor Price soon joins, sitting atop the guitars, slight reverb adding an atmospheric edge.

Of course, there is little time to predict the track's direction before the band's art reveals itself - the slick pull back as the track descends into heaviness, a booming bass drum hit signalling a return to a familiar sound. The more folkier, calmer sound gives way to a heavy rock trojan horse.

[photo: In Crooked Wonderment]

August will mark a year since the band's EP release, but it feels no time has passed in this regard. Where "Regicide" left off, "Warlord" picks up effortlessly, a slick continuation of the band's self described gothic folk rock storytelling. This is a band that have so much more to give - it'll be interesting seeing where else the year takes them.

"Warlord" is out NOW on streaming platforms