Despite a more famous reputation for being the label behind metal icons such as Slipknot, Sepultura and Deicide, Roadrunner Records in recent years has also been a firm backer for modern progressive metal’s titans with Opeth and Mastodon as associates. The newest addition to their prog roster is the debut album from rising British act Empress AD who find themselves in an unusually watched position with a huge major label backing and the eyes of the music media upon them. Unfortunately Still Life Moving Fast(Roadrunner Records) does not hit the heights it needed to.
Influences from the current generation of metals more experimental alumni are notable; predominantly the sludgey yet ferocious tone and pace of Mastodon as well as hints of Tool and Cult Of Luna in part. But for such a dynamic range of influences this debut seems rather stagnant and a little samey throughout.
The album manages to continue without anything that stands out and grabs your attention, instead mostly moving into a sonic blur. Vocally it shows some imagination in its delivery and a range of styles but still feels uninspiring and nothing that hasn’t been heard many times before.
With an impressive amount of coverage for such a young band, this album was always going to have a lot of pressure on its shoulders, and it does show promise for the band who are clearly musically astute. Sadly this ultimately ends up as disappointing and worst of all dull.
5/10
Chris Tippell