CAULDRON – New Gods

The Canadian Metal trio Cauldron describe their fifth studio album as dark, heavy melodic AOR with “…a strong emphasis on songwriting and melody, complete with high-end organic production to match.”

The song structures and melodies mimic AOR with limited success. A profound lack of song writing sophistication is the norm. Songs are basic in structure and provide limited room for virtuosity. Lyrics are simplistic affairs with a penchant for rhymes. The vocalist lacks range and enunciated with regimented clarity.

The dated production style is strikingly muted and lacks the vibrancy found in current recordings. The mix is heavily slanted toward the guitar and vocals with drums and bass guitar relegated to remote supporting roles. Combined with echo chamber vocals the effect imparts a dark cloud vibe.

The first two songs “Prisoner Of The Past” and “Letting Go” have the best melodic riffs and catchy choruses. The remaining songs unsuccessfully emulate this pattern. The repeated use of the same template has increasingly stale results. “Together As None” is the low point as it desperately panders for AOR relevance with weak riffs and a boy band vocal delivery. A spirited closer, “Last Request”, sends the album out on an optimistic note. It’s remarkable for allowing the bass guitar a voice in the mix. There’s even a clumsily mixed 5 second bass solo! Apparently there was a break in the clouds at the studio because even the vocalist belts a high note to end the song.

New Gods is an album bound to bring clouds to a sunny day. The band set out to create a dark and heavy AOR album strong on songwriting and melody. Instead they created a collection of musically unremarkable and lyrically simplistic offerings for an undistinguished product.

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TRACKLIST (Highlights: 1, 2, 4, 9)

1. Prisoner of the Past
2. Letting Go
3. No Longer
4. Save the Truth – Syracuse
5. Never Be Found
6. Drown
7. Together as None
8. Isolation
9. Last Request

LINEUP

Jason Decay (lead vocals/bass)
Ian Chains (guitar)
Myles Deck (drums)