Photo by Chris Johnston
“The music is miles away from parodic – this is stone-cold metal-ass metal with steely density and momentum, lined with powerful choral vocals and the occasional harpsichord to remind you that this is a classy affair.” — Everything Is Noise
Everything Is Noise is currently streaming Maze Controller from DUNGEON CRAWL in its consuming entirety. The premiere comes on the eve of the record’s official release Friday, 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 which 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.
Writes Everything Is Noise, “Though high fantasy and even Dungeons & Dragons themes aren’t new to metal by a longshot, the San Jose band immerses themselves far deeper than the average heavy metal band that likes to swing swords around… Combining thrash, symphonic, and just a vial of power metal, DUNGEON CRAWL are seriously fun in the most literal way. The music is miles away from parodic – this is stone-cold metal-ass metal with steely density and momentum, lined with powerful choral vocals and the occasional harpsichord to remind you that this is a classy affair. On the other hand, the themes are based on a game that’s fun for many and can be lighthearted if desired. Also, the drummer’s name is Magnus-Scrota – clearly there’s some tongue-in-cheek nudging going on and the band is better for it. And look at that awesome-ass cover art done by James Bousema. What a colorful statement – that wizard is pondering the shit out of that orb…”
Read more and stream Maze Controller, exclusively at Everything Is Noise, 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.
DUNGEON CRAWL:
The Maze Controller – bass, vocals
Magnus-Scrota – drums
Ryan Alvarado – guitar
Gage Higgins – guitar
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