As a Capricorn myself, I was intrigued by what the album had to offer. What I discovered was enchanting intros and beasty hooks; heavy, gothically bluesy, bootstomping, headbanging, good old-fashioned stoner metal.
I heard elements of a bunch of wicked wicked bands’ influences from right across the rock spectrum, right from pop rock to death metal - consequently a real nice sound ensues, one that can only improve as time progresses. These guys would be sweet live, no matter how loud I cranked the stereo it still didn’t seem loud enough.
Wicked sweet background drinking and/or driving music, the tempo is regular and solid, with enough staunch catchy peaks to grab your attention and make you go “wreargh!? allfacknright”. Real nice hooks, love the deep body-felt bass throughout.
Track 1 – Aurora Funeralis: melodramatic, ponderous. Sets the atmos quite nicely. Long enough to wonder if it’s just a really long intro.
Track 2 – Crowned & Drained: Long power chugs and heartfelt drumming hook, slow and steady rhythm. Heavy heavy bass gets the old boots going.
Track 3 – A Devilish Manifesto: mellow intro rocks out into wicked hook. Faster tempo gets the head going with the boots. Nice.
Track 4 – Archways: more deep strummage, really gets the blood fizzing. Cool trippy vox in the chorus, sneaky gax enhances.
Track 5 – Old Redhook: cool intro, another catchy chorus – rock on the air gax.
Track 6 – A Candle for the Morning Star: a real nice track, one that took a couple listens to really get, but definitely one of my favourites. A nice balance between every member, just enough and not too much – and yet all had their piece. Nicely done.
Track 7 – Hymn: Just over a minute long instrumental – smoko time.
Track 8 – Sol: Nice rollicking hook intro, strong rhythms. Rocked out the air gax a couple times even.
Track 9 – The Inveterate: power blues intro, another real sweet headbanging, bootstomping tune.
Track 10 – Lord of Light and Pride: tweaky intro, ebbs and flows like a blood-red tide. A bit slower paced, yet still upbeat.
Track 11 – Under Southern Skies: heavy power chugs, a dark and ancestral feel.
Track 12 – Claws of Fog: epic and enchanting, rocking out into a full mosh-ready tune. Wicked.
Track 13 – Awakening to Shining Light: an epic epic epic way to end a staunch album like this, a cool intro and another solid riff brings the album to a close.
Bleeeeeeat!
CEOMong
The House of Capricorn is a rock band from the fog below One Tree Hill, formed in 2001.
Their debut album 'Sign of the Cloven Hoof' was released in March 2010.