Livløs - The Crescent King

Livløs is a melodic death metal band from Denmark, who formed in 2014. Their latest album, “The Crescent King,” is their third full-length album; they have also released an EP.

“The Crescent King” is a robust, meaty album with a big sound to it. Across it’s 10 song, 48 minute runtime, the band offers a lot of content that’s presented in an engaging way and catchy songwriting.   

The album is apparently a concept album, detailing the journey of "The Crescent King", who travels through space and time to discover the secrets of not only himself but also of humanity. 

It’s an interesting concept but fortunately, the music remains just as interesting. Although clearly rooted in the foundations of melodic death’s hallowed roots, their sound is more detailed than most other melodic death albums I’ve heard this year. 

It’s also dark, moodier, and has a modern heaviness to it that compliments the melodies and harmonies so much that the album feels weighty even when it’s at its most exploratory.   

Although it certainly has plenty of both mid paced and faster movements, a lot of the album dials back on the tempo to let the band’s somber and mysterious take on their storytelling sink in and play out in a natural way.  

The album opens with “Solstice” and I appreciate that it isn't an ambient piece, clean intro or pointless noise like so many intros seems to be. It's bacially an actual song, albeit a short one, that leads perfect into the next song, “Orbit Weaver.”

This song is quick and vicious in the beginning, showing off the chops of every member but, in particular, the vocalist shreds. 

The bass is audible against the riffs, something that is often over looked in melodic death. 

The title track doesn't hit as immediate but instead uses melody to build up the song. It's catchy and uses a slower tempo, which is find highly effective because it allows the band to really dig into the depths of their sound.  

The halfway mark hits harder with a lot of good riffs and a ton of groove, while the vocals scream like a demon.

Just because they don't shy from melody doesn't mean they can't bring the pain as “Scourge of the Stars,” proves. This is a tight song, very dense and one of the more punishing songs. The drums run through a spear piercing flesh and the guitars/bass throw out riff after riff. The last minute or so is biting, including a killer solo and a powerful ending.

"Harvest” is just as heavy but even more nuanced. This one is a slow to mid paced burner in the first half that grinds out note by punishing note. It spends up later on, a fanatics little twist before the song is drenched in melancholy.

“Endless Majesty,” is the final song and another one of my favorite. There is a certain finality to the atmosphere which makes it appealing as the final track. The ebb and flow of its tempo is infectious to the very end.

Livløs’ “The Crescent King” is one of the better melodic death albums I've heard this year. Fans of the style need to hear this ASAP but it has the chops to pull in new fans as well.