- Country: Australia
- Style: Progressive metal
- Label: InsideOut Music
- Release date: 22 May 2020
Rise Radiant is the fifth album from Australia’s Caligula’s Horse, and it is the most focused thing they have made. Guitarist Sam Vallen produced it himself, Jens Bogren mixed it, and the result is bright, punchy and loud in the right places without ever losing the air around the vocals.
“The Tempest” kicks the door in with a jagged, syncopated riff and a chorus that soars straight over the top of it. “Slow Violence” is even tighter, all coiled groove and sudden release. What makes the record special, though, is how the band balance that muscle with patience. “Salt” and “Autumn” take their time, building slowly towards huge emotional peaks, and “Resonate” works as a short breath before “Oceanrise” and “Valkyrie” pick up the pace again.
The vocals are the real star. Clean, controlled and full of feeling, they carry melodies that stick after one listen, something plenty of prog bands never manage.
Closer “The Ascent” is the longest song here and it earns every minute, moving from quiet reflection to a triumphant final climb. Few progressive metal albums from 2020 felt this generous, or this human.
Best tracks:
The Tempest
Slow Violence
Valkyrie
Autumn
The Ascent
Author’s rating: 9.1/10
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