Crown Lands – Ritual II Review

What does Crown Lands sound like?

Prog rock duo explores all the hand percussion and ambient synths in their collection like they’ve arrived at a spiritual retreat.

The review of ‘Ritual II’ by Crown Lands

It was only last month that I discovered the stunning ‘Ritual I‘. It marked Crown Lands, a Canadian prog rock duo, crossing over from prog rock into something more tribal, ancient, and instrumental. Yes, guitars may still hang around, but this departure in sound is about evoking psychedelia in a very different medium.

‘Ritual II’ is the second half of the two-EP release. It continues the exploration of world percussion, largely from Africa, and a variety of flutes and a didgeridoo. Crown Lands said after their first EP that they had grown in confidence. They felt empowered to let the instruments shine in more complex arrangements. This is largely true, as ‘Ritual II’ has a wider sound palette and more emphasis on sound design.

‘Tempest’ is a fantastic opening track. It features moments of serene clarity and cleanliness when the rain and water samples seep in. Between those moments are increasingly powerful and layered epic swathes of African drums and flutes, backed up by guitars. It could feel right at home in Dead Can Dance’s admittedly ‘Spiritchaser’ album. The seven-minute epic works on every level. Crown Lands then merges the traditional with the rock on ‘Respite’. Marimba leads the way initially, providing a jaunty and flowing melodic rhythm for the flutes to ride. As other instruments join in, the track transitions from big electric guitar and panning synth booms that bring the prog rock elements firmly up front. It’s a real culture clash, but on repeated listens, it clicks and works. I especially love the retro synth, rain stick, and bird song outro section, as it is very cinematic.

‘Shadows under Moonlight’ signals a shift to the Middle East. This piece evokes the heat of the night and features a synth that reminds me of blowing on a glass bottle. It creates a hollow sound that emphasises the dry, sneakier nature of the percussion used across the track… and what a range of percussion! I swear that Crown Lands, and percussionist Cody Bowles in particular, have a library of hand percussion, as they are all on rotation use here. It flows at such a pace, and with skill and prowess, it is probably my favourite piece on the album. I can’t sit still when it’s on. Paired with it is ‘Mirage’, a track that uses a range of synths to provide an epic yet curious feeling. The two tracks pair so well together, providing 10 minutes of prog rock greatness through an ancient lens.

After all that, we need to slow down, and ‘In the Reeds’ provides that breather. The merger of cricket sounds, wind samples, acoustic guitar, a variety of flutes, and a slow but strident rhythm makes this track feel a little sombre. Quite how the track feels alive but also desolate in places is a testament to the writing and production of the track. We then end with the celebratory ‘Celestial Marsh’. The track is a mesh of previous ingredients, but with added marsh field recordings and breath work added in. What I love about this piece, aside from its circular nature and pacing, is that it borrows from global elements. There are Aboriginal vocalisations, Native Indian flutes, African percussion and desert guitar, and modern synths. It is a Glocal approach to music, and I love it.

‘Ritual II’ is a riotous success. It is a step in complexity and craftsmanship than ‘Ritual I’, which means songs evolve and shapeshift at a greater scale. This is the kind of album you could use for a solo mental retreat, or you could use for an ancient prog rock party. I’m not sure if Crown Lands intends to continue down this new genre of music, or if they intend to return to more traditional prog rock (if there is such a thing). If they do return to more traditional prog rock, I hope they return to this format for a ‘Ritual III’ after their next release. I’d imagine they’d be even more Glocal and bombastic with their arrangements.

Recommended track: Shadows under Moonlight

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