Caligula’s Horse is a tale of two bands for me. I discovered them because I was a fan of vocalist Jim Grey’s other band Arcane, which disbanded several years ago. I’ll be honest and admit that I’ve always liked Arcane better because they achieved more melody and balance than the more bombastic Caligula’s Horse. But that seems to have changed. The band is about to release a new album called Charcoal Grace through Inside Out Music on January 26th. I think the band has created their most balanced album yet.
Caligula’s Horse come to us from Australia. They have been at it for over a decade now, and this will be their sixth studio album. The current lineup is a little smaller than in the past; you’ll notice there is only one guitarist now, and that is a big reason for their finetuned sound. The band includes Jim Grey on lead vocals, Sam Vallen on guitars, Dale Prinsse on bass, and Josh Griffin on drums.
The band plays progressive metal with plenty of polyrhythms and complexity. They’ve mainly been known for their use of a twin guitar attack that bordered on djent at times. Their sound has always been heavy and dense and lumbering, and the one and only Jim Grey was able to slice through all that with his sweaty, energetic melodies.
On Charcoal Grace, though, the band has found greater balance. It is still heavy, especially in very specific moments, but the guitar work is less riff-based this time. Instead, Sam’s guitars are laden with terrific licks and even solos that give more space to the music, even bordering on shoegaze at times. This version of the band feels more mature and more focused to me.
So Charcoal Grace, you may find, has many ambient and atmospheric moments. There are gorgeous melodies throughout, from Jim’s own amazing vocals to piano and keyboards that serve as both intimate reflections and cinematic thrills. I’ll just say it: this album reminds me more of an Arcane album than a Caligula’s Horse record, and you’ll feel that in the whispering moments, the dynamic song structures, and the more reserved nature of much of the music.
The album has nine tracks, but really it only has six songs. The album opens with the extraordinary “The World Breathes With Me”, which flexes its melodic muscles right out of the gate. I love the last few minutes especially where Jim is unleashed. The single “The Golem” is next, and it’s a great tune that retains some of the band’s classic sound, but I’ll admit that it’s my least favorite on the album.
The record then launches into the title suit, a four-part song that is absolutely wonderful. Instead of being a bombastic or even epic offering, it filters in and out of louder and softer moments. Much of it is spacey and pure atmosphere, and the rhythm section, particularly the bass, really shines in those moments. I like how Part I “Prey” is pretty even tempered and addictive, Part 2 “A World Without” is a bit heavier but leads into Part 3 “Vigil” which is completely soft and quiet. The final Part “Give Me Hell” is heavier and climactic, but still loses none of its gorgeous tone. Altogether, it will certainly be a standout song this year.
The last three songs are my favorites, though. “Sails” is such a beautiful song with its short runtime and windswept vibes. It honestly feels like a nugget of the fantasy cinema of Haken’s Aquarius has made its way into this song, and it is stronger because of it. “The Stormchaser” is a perfect emblem for the album itself with how balanced between light and shade, loud and soft, that it truly is. That one is really growing on me.
The closer “Mute” might be my favorite overall. The quiet moments sound somehow more reflective and genuine, the heavier portions feel more thrilling and electric, and the piano throughout is strong and confident. The last few minutes have a melodic glow that is truly beautiful, and overall it just ends the album in a very satisfying way.
Caligula’s Horse are still growing, and Charcoal Grace has some of their best and most vibrant work. I love how finetuned and balanced it is, and even while it embraces more reserved ideas, it does not lose the energy or vocal power that the band is known to produce. I’m seeing them play live next month on their US tour, and I can’t wait to hear these songs in that setting.
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Find Caligula’s Horse online:
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