CIRCUS Delivers Orchestral, Explosive, And Masterfully Executed Heavy Rock Brilliance With 'A Kiss Before Dying'
- STAFF
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
By: Staff
CIRCUS’s last release “Dog Hour Decline” was how we found this firestorm hand grenade of a band, and we have been hooked and fans of these really talented musicians ever since.
Now, with the release of the album A Kiss Before Dying, we get even more of that amazing fire from CIRCUS. We felt we had to touch on more than the normal three tracks because there is so much substance here, and honestly, we cannot get enough of this band.
“Countdown to Global Zero” kicks it off with an ominous, impending-doom track forewarning our country’s and world’s demise. With a sad and simultaneously glowing electric guitar bellowing on the surface, it sets the mood for an album intent on opening our eyes to the terrors and chances of nuclear annihilation. It is really a perfect mood set.
“Hearts on the Wire” enters growling and thunderous, with driving beats that excite the senses. The vocals feel like a fuse that amps up the interplay and dynamic feel of this track. There is no doubt the talents of these artists had some magnetic pull to bring them together because their execution of true heavy rock and metal music is something to really appreciate. Standouts are the orchestral highs and lows, combined with crisp and clean execution that makes this a true sit-back-and-listen track.
“90 Seconds for Panic” has a horse-gallop running sensation that leads to an opening that vocally takes you on a roller coaster ride of thought. The drumming takes pole position and leads this into a true standout performance. There are no slouch moments anywhere on this album, so any standouts should really be labeled excellence in execution. A beautifully soft outro was an amazing sensation and a nice touch.
“Black Sunday” has guitars that would strip paint off a wall with their high and tense feel. It comes in strong, then lulls you into pure relaxation. There is so much unending proof of musical ability at play here.
“Aftermath” has a soft strumming guitar that leads to finally being able to say it. This band delivers on a level comparable to the greats like Zeppelin or Maiden. The explosive power to calm, soft gentleness takes the listener on an emotional journey. Then the ability to follow the song’s lyrics so clearly, that when you hear things like “that aftermath is no afterthought,” it becomes a message and a meaning the listener just feels connected to. With a build at the end that has endless guitars that feel like Pink Floyd's Gilmour would approve, it actually left us speechless.
“A Kiss Before Dying” introduces piano, and the connection to the storyline now makes this entire album an actual gift to the listener.
Orchestral. Explosive. Masterfully executed. Tender. Emotional and full of thought and concern, these are things truly lost in today’s musical landscape, but one band seems to refuse to let go. For that, CIRCUS truly deserves the highest recognition and recommendation any band could have.
If you wish to enjoy and appreciate something made with the highest dedication by a group with talents that seem unending, then look no further and get with CIRCUS’s A Kiss Before Dying.
