The die is cast and your journey begins within the epic labyrinth that is Dungeon Crawl’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 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.
Elaborates the band on first single, “Red Shadows”:
“It’s a high energy track that combines speed and technicality to bring the distinctly melodic sound that Dungeon Crawl is known for to new heights. Angelic choirs back the driving pace of the song, which is complemented by lead guitar playing from Jeff Potts (Mantic Ritual). Through the lyrics, listeners follow the demise of a hapless adventuring group as they’re stalked and eventually exterminated by the evil Red Wizards.”
“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.
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Photo by Chris Johnston
