The Juno Award-winning, powerhouse rock duo CROWN LANDS – Cody Bowles (vocals and drums) and Kevin Comeau (guitar, bass, and keys)—have announced details of their sophomore studio album Fearless set to release on March 31 via Spinefarm Records/Universal Music Canada.
We have described the band’s unique sounds as “rhythmic guitars, headbanging grooves, soaring vocals, and phenomenal drums…’
Alongside the album announcement, Crown Lands have also released an 18-minute composition “Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II,” the first track on the record, which throws down the gauntlet and introduces the whole Fearless experience. You can check out the visualizer below.
“This is truly our crowning achievement. The best song we have written so far. An 18-minute opus. A testament to the power of prog. A document of just how much noise two people can create,” suggests Comeau.
The nine-track L.P. follows the duo’s self-titled debut (2020). It was recorded in 80A Studio at Universal studio in Toronto with producer David Bottrill (Rush, Muse, Tool, Mastodon) and came together over a six-month period, in short, intense bursts between tours.
If you like your rock to swallow & surround you, this is what you’ve been waiting for…
Raw Ramp Music Magazine
Whereas Crown Lands’ initial album highlighted the band’s knack for gritty blues rock, Fearless embraces the band’s earliest prog-rock inclinations. The new record is shamelessly rich and ambitious while remaining approachable. Some previously released tracks will be recognised by fans, including “Context: Fearless Pt. I” and “Right Way Back” that will act as familiar touchpoints to frame the otherwise innovative soundscape.
“I mean, let’s be honest here, there’s a little bit of cleverness for cleverness’ sake in there too,” says Comeau. “But it is really fun. We had so much fun tracking this music. I think we were both able to do what we wanted to do as artists for so long.”
Rather than overwhelming its viewers with intricacy, Fearless builds a world in which an audience will want to spend time. Bowles explains: “I hope that our playing on this record inspires people to kind of take up playing in that way. It’s something that’s not so common now, but when you get into it, it’s just so beautiful.”
The lead single, “Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II,” possesses ethereal, Vangelis-like elements that are balanced by meaty rock solos, sci-fi mysticism, a fascinating 11/8 section, soothing chimes, and gauzy synths. It also uses the same protagonist and universe that Crown Lands has been developing for some time.
Bowles explains the premise, “This epic story spans hundreds of years following our titular hero: Fearless after the events of (2021 single) ‘The Oracle.’ He stands against the colonization of outer space and the decimation of his people to reclaim what was stolen by capitalistic greed and bloodshed.”
Bowles, who also writes science-fiction continues, “These are themes that may sound like a mere fantastic tale to some, but we wanted to marry sci-fi elements with very real issues Indigenous people have gone through time and time again. I guess that would be called Indigenous futurism. I have always loved songs that give you more the more you lean into them, and there is a deeper meaning to this story if you look for it.”
We’ve been listening to Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II — here are splendiferous guitars, reverberant bass-notes, honeycombing percussionals, and ever-lengthening solos, all wrapped in interlacing spluttery-wattled synth and guitar with Geddy Lee style vocals. Absolutely gorgeous!
If you’re a Rush fan and you like your rock to swallow and surround you, this is what you’ve been waiting for!
Pre-order link: https://crownlands.lnk.to/FearlessPR
RAW RAMP 