ProgRock.com Essentials 2026
Montreal divinators seek deliverance from the human race to dissolve darkness in velveteen distress.
– Divided By One
Some may assume the presence of a familiar figure on a record’s cover is too on the nose, yet fear not because Crimson King will appear to be but a red herring, which doesn’t mean there’s no fugue state on the Canadian ensemble’s fourth offering in as many years. With its title suggesting both futility and fatality, so typical for inner conflicts, there’s a burning sense of self in the overall gloom of this platter that’s somewhat alleviated by unexpected stylistic detailing rendering some of its pieces quite alien for progressive rock Jeremie Arrobas and Thomas Szirmay chose as their nocturnal playground. Delivering “Divided By One” in the wake of "Imperfect Silence" – whose music first seemed to show the two friends’ disregard for their chosen genre’s frontiers – as a fearsome foursome, with renowned American bassist Hansford Rowe and fellow Québécois, guitarist Alain Bellaiche fully embedded in the band, they finally got to the place "The Hierarchies Of Angels" pointed to.
While the main duo operate what “Screaming Sound Machines” frames as devious devices for psychological healing and Steve Bonino’s guitars add urgency to this underworldly upbeat dirge that’s throbbing with heavy menace and the clang of tubular bells, titular opener enlivens a similarly sinful setup, high on electronica, through a bluegrass filigree and a five-string rumble to enhance the album’s oxymoronic allure. Still, even such a welcoming salvo can’t prepare the listener for the reggae ripple of “Chaos Dreaming” whose balladry will get embroidered with exquisite acoustic threads
3. Sirensong
4. Pool of Mirrors
5. Heaven’s Rain
6. Screaming Sound Machines
7. Heavy Water
8. Inviolate Fields
9. Are ‘Friends’ Electric
– Roland Buhlmann/ guitars (7)
– Laura Piazzai/ lead vocals (8)
