| Story: Ralph Greco, Jr.
Decibel Magazine is currently streaming “+1 Mace” from DUNGEON CRAWL. The track comes off the epic labyrinth that is band’s second full-length album, Maze Controller, set for release on September 20th via Carbonized Records.
Influenced by a multitude of orchestral and extreme metal bands, both classic and contemporary, San Jose, California’s DUNGEON CRAWL seeks to root their sound on Maze Controller as something wholly unique, but familiar in a saturated genre, by fusing elements of thrash and symphonic metal to create a distinctive listening experience.
Led by the enigmatic Maze Controller, composition duties are shared alongside the Red Wizard Magnus-Scrota, who lends his precise rhythmic spellcasting abilities to the band’s drum section. Guitar duties are apportioned between Gage Higgins and Ryan Alvarado – both of whom are pawns and players at the table of the Maze Controller’s tortuous design.
Thematically, the music and imagery draws inspiration from tabletop RPGs that many know and love, as any who dive into the lyrical themes will quickly see that references to goblins, swords, and wizardry are in abundance.
Elaborates The Maze Controller on the band’s latest single, “‘+1 Mace’ is a triumphant song that’ll have listeners banging their heads with catchy riffs and grooves, while simultaneously feeling victorious from the hooks and huge chorus. The lyrical concept is based on an overzealous Paladin who brandishes the titular +1 Mace to vanquish anyone he deems to be a threat, attributing his actions to a divine calling. Get ready to bust out those foam LARP weapons, head to the battlefield, and deal some damage!”
Adds Decibel, “‘+1 Mace’ showcases the band’s various influences from across the heavy metal player’s handbook, from thrash metal, death metal, power metal, and orchestral metal — all converging into an impressive homebrew sound all their own.”
Stream DUNGEON CRAWL’s “+1 Mace,” exclusively at Decibel Magazine, at THIS LOCATION.
Maze Controller was recorded by Codie Jones and Jason Bursese with guitar reamping, mixing, and mastering by Zack Ohren at Castle Ultimate Studios. Cover artwork was provided by James Bousema, with additional inner artwork by Carlos Castilho, Brendan Elliot, and Garry Yulianto.
Maze Controller will be released on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats. Find US orders HERE, EU orders HERE, and digital orders HERE where first single, “Red Shadows,” can be streamed.
DUNGEON CRAWL:
The Maze Controller – bass, vocals
Magnus-Scrota – drums
Ryan Alvarado – guitar
Gage Higgins – guitar
For DUNGEON CRAWL coverage, contact liz@earsplitcompound.com.
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