Album Review: Crippled Black Phoenix - Ellengæst
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
For most bands, losing your lead male vocalist and keyboardist on the day tracking starts for your new album would be catastrophic. Not for founder member of Crippled Black Phoenix Justin Greaves, whose energy and passion has driven this enigmatic outfit forward since the band’s formation in 2004. Known as a shape-shifting musical collective, the band has a list of past members longer than this review. Now bound around the core of four musicians, Greaves called in assistance from an impressive list of talent from his deep network. The result? An enchanting and beguiling record which features guest appearances from Anathema’s Vincent Cavanagh, Gaahls Wyrd’s Kristian “Gaahl” Espedal, Coliseum/Fotocrime/one-time Crippled Black Phoenix touring bassist Ryan Patterson, up-and-coming U.K. solo artist Suzie Stapleton and Tribulation’s Jonathan Hultén.
It’s been a long time since I listened to Crippled Black Phoenix. ‘Ellengæst’ will change that and determine that I dive back into the catalogue of one of English rock’s most underrated and progressive bands. A band that has experienced turbulent waters, legal challenge from ex-members and adversity throughout their musical journey, Crippled Black Phoenix now comprises Greaves - guitars, drums, bass, samples, saw, Belinda Kordic - vocals, percussion, Helen Stanley - grand piano, synthesisers, trumpet, and Andy Taylor – guitar.
‘Ellengæst’, which in Olde English - with some Scandinavian connection - translates as “strong spirit” and another reference as “mischievous demon”, represents Crippled Black Phoenix’s duality. “It comes from the same place, but with different connotations,” says Greaves. “That’s this band in a nutshell. We’ve had to stay strong because of all the BS we’ve encountered, yet we’re still going and subversive. It’s like we’re giving kids candy with razor blades in them.”
‘Ellengæst’ focuses on themes of the human condition and the continuous internal struggles that people experience. The album opens with ‘House of Fools’ and then ‘Lost’, which both feature Cavanagh and Kordic, the pair swapping lead duties on the second track. Both songs are beautifully crafted, Canvanagh providing the perfect foil for Kordic’s ethereal delivery. ‘In The Night’ features Gaahl, normally associated with black metal but here providing a unique take on the song as his spoken word is the perfect foil for Kordic’s angelic delivery.
Patterson takes the lead on the Celtic flavoured ‘Cry of Love’, which drives along with energetic passion as he combines with Stapleton to great effect. The haunting ‘Everything I Say’ sees Kordic deliver another emotionally drenched performance, the variation between grandiose and a calmer, measured play striking. This is followed by the 11 minute ‘The Invisible Past’, a majestic soundscape that features Hultén in a soaring, shimmering performance before a solid cover of Bauhaus’ ‘She’s In Parties’ brings the album to an end.
Unconventional, unpredictable, and permanently reinventing, ‘Ellengæst’ sits regally alongside the best of 2020. A strong and confident release, this is one to savour and celebrate.
‘Ellengæst’ is released by Season of Mist on 9th October.
