InCrest: “The Ladder The Climb The Fall” – Power and energy running rampant
“The Ladder The Climb The Fall” is Danish grunge-rock trio InCrest’s sophomore album, and has been produced in collaboration with top American producer Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, Faith No More, Three Doors Down) and Danish hard rock producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy). The 11 track album has been in the works for 4 years, and follows their 2014 debut album “Rubicon Atlas”. The band from Copenhagen, consists of Malte Slywest (Lead vocals, guitar), Anders Hagedorn-Olsen (Bass) and Jonas Tange (Drums). InCrest is one out of the few bands that come out and say exactly what it is they feel and how they react to it. What leads a band in history as among the best is their ability to be real and authentic in a world that demands conformity and a fabricated image. Aside from singer Malte Slywest’s interesting vocal developments, the musical aspect of the band fits the mood like a glove, providing an all-around attention grabbing experience from the start to finish.
The group offers a fine album by digging deep and expressing themselves in a variety of ways. Moreover the monstrous riffs by Slywest and the thumping basslines by Hagedorn-Olsen, plus Tange’s pummelling drum attack keeps the songs rough around the edges. Again, agreeable choruses guided by a compelling blend of crooning and agitated throat nudging from Slywest keeps an appreciable honesty to the tracks.
InCrest has a quite a distinctive style to their instrumentals, which is often shown on this album. The opening track “No Second Chance” refreshes the listeners’ minds to the chugging and deep growling sound of their guitar riffs that turn into a throbbing tempo.
They do a great job distinguishing their sound as well. The vocals in the verses have memorable hooks that along with the beat and lyrics releases a harsh tone, to start off the album with full power. This superior rock side of InCrest’s sound is clearly a strong asset of the record.
“Nightcrawler” spits out jagged melodies and crushing breakdowns to create their heavy characteristics, but rolls into a soaring chorus to blend into one of the highlights on the album. Even on the more melodic tracks, InCrest’s trademarks it with their deep and distinct riffs. “Anemia” is the epitome of this style; it gives off pure aggression in the vocals and lyrics, but instrumentally has a hard rock sound.
This smoother solid rock and grunge style is the main attraction of the record and a more common style for the band. “Aces” is another superstar from the album, and includes more catchy melodies and a lighter theme to convey a liberating mood.
“Halo” begins with InCrest’s signature instrumental style, then the creeping verses change gears and the choruses explode into blissful melody. All which have perfect compatibility with the empowering sound of the song. Following is “RUN!”, which from start to finish, doesn’t let up in aggression and intensity. Finally “Highway” turns the temperature down a notch or two.
Moments like these show a softer side of InCrest. The song begins slowly and sweetly with a warm acoustic melody and vocal hooks. These areas in the band’s work really show how much emotion they can give off through their music. The song ends with a surge of jangly instrumentation leaving listeners with a chilling sense of longing.
The spell is quickly broken with the syncopated rhythms of “My Own Enemy”. Whichever sonic traits come into your head when you think of InCrest, they’re probably all here. But the best is still to come with broody and grungy lament of “100 And Ten”. The verse hooks you right in with its instrumental depth and layering before its chorus slams the energy levels up and bounces along.
The album holds a dense and heavy sound that resonates throughout its eleven tracks. It’s alternative rock and grunge, so you should expect it’ll be mixing meaty and melancholic riffs with some of the best melodies and rock-grooves in the business; and it is just that.
“The Ladder” is probably the best track on the album in including all of the aforementioned elements. “Neversleep” winds down the atmosphere with a brace of acoustic guitars and breezy harmonies. “The Ladder The Climb The Fall” is a brilliant record with catchiness, power and energy running rampant through its tracks.
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