The world of progressive metal is a crowded one, and the quest for recognition can be a challenging journey. Enter slq, a Spanish project led by composer, vocalist, and guitarist César Parra Rojas, who has assembled a formidable trio of session musicians for his debut album, Crown Shyness. The album's title, inspired by the botanical phenomenon of trees allowing each other space in the canopy, sets the tone for a record that explores the interplay between the main composer and his supporting cast.
The album's sound is a fusion of progressive metal with elements of Tool, Leprous, and Porcupine Tree. However, Crown Shyness struggles to find its identity, often feeling like a work in progress. The guest appearances by Baard Kolstad (drums), Diego Tejeida (keyboards), and Nate Navarro (bass) are a testament to Rojas's ambition, but they also highlight the album's inconsistencies. While the trio's contributions are impressive, they sometimes overshadow Rojas's own efforts, leaving the album feeling like a collaborative effort rather than a cohesive whole.
Rojas's guitar work is a mixed bag, with some derivative riffs and solos that don't quite reach the level of his session musicians. His vocals, unfortunately, are the weak link, with pitchy and oversung deliveries that lack the control and impact needed to carry the album's weight. The mixing and boosting of his vocals only amplify these issues, resulting in a homogenous sound that lacks a clear destination.
Despite these shortcomings, Crown Shyness has its moments of brilliance. The salsa groove on 'A Chasm' and the blues rock instrumentals on 'A Deception' showcase the band's ability to create intriguing compositions. Tejeida's keyboard work is sublime, with skittering synths and emotive piano, while Kolstad's drumming adds a sense of rhythm and energy. However, these highlights are few and far between, making the overall listening experience a bit of a slog.
In my opinion, Crown Shyness is a record that strives for a vision but hasn't quite clarified it. While it has its merits instrumentally, the album's inconsistencies and Rojas's vocal shortcomings make it a challenging listen. The addition of session musicians can't mask the obvious deficiencies, and the album feels more like a collaboration than a cohesive work. However, it's a promising start, and with further refinement, slq could create something truly special.
What makes this album particularly fascinating is the exploration of the relationship between the main composer and his supporting cast. The album's title, inspired by nature, reflects the idea of finding one's place in the world and allowing others to flourish. This theme is reflected in the album's sound, which often feels like a delicate balance between the main composer's vision and the contributions of his session musicians.
In conclusion, Crown Shyness is a mixed bag, with some impressive moments and a clear vision, but also a lot of inconsistencies and a lack of clarity. It's a record that leaves a lasting impression, but not necessarily in the way the artist intended. It's a work in progress, and with further refinement, slq could create something truly remarkable.
