Review by illusionist for Caligula's Horse - Rise Radiant (2020)

In some ways, Rise Radiant is Caligula's Horse's most effective statement yet.

The Australian group's fifth album is a potent distillation of the identity they have gradually honed up to this point: masters of catchy, vibrant, and uplifting - yet still technical - progressive rock/metal. If they were going for a direct statement of this identity, trimmed of potentially unnecessary detours or fat, then they surely succeeded.

First of all, it sounds amazing. It is incredibly well-produced, with a perfect balance between all the little details in the songs.

This compliments the second point: the band is also more concise than before. They waste no time, barraging the listener with some of their sharpest rhythmic punches yet, which sound great with that polished production. As a counterpoint to the at-times Djenty grooves, you have undoubtedly Jim Grey's catchiest group of choruses. Speaking strictly in terms of vocal melodies, this is probably Caligula's Horse's best yet. You will wear out your replay button with songs like the singles "The Tempest", "Slow Violence" and "Valkyrie". I certainly have! On the finale, "The Ascent", Caligula's Horse remind us that they can also still write songs with multiple moods and dynamic changes. It's a great song, but perhaps it's not enough in that regard? It's certainly not a prog heavyweight on the scale of "Graves".

Indeed, critics rightly point out that Rise Radiant lacks the surprising "wow" moments, or the diversity of song structures and sonic textures to be found on its predecessor In Contact, which will remain Caligula's Horse's peak from a purely creative standpoint. The bland "Resonate" is not up to par with the band's past token "soft interludes" either, and the covers are eminently skippable, adding nothing. I'm ignoring them for the purposes of rating this album.

TL;DR -- Rise Radiant is sure to please longtime fans and new listeners alike with Caligula's Horse customary blend of beautiful and empowering lyrics, exceptional vocal performance, and crisp, punchy guitars, all blended together and packaged expertly into individually effective songs perhaps better than ever before. This thing is brimming with powerful singles, which will surely make it a deservedly big success for the band. However, the total album experience, with a cohesion that could be perceived as "sameness" and a lack of surprises or grandiose payoff, leave it just short of the band's best. I love it, but I can't quite bring myself to call it a masterpiece. Strong 8 / Light 9.

Favorite songs: Slow Violence, Valkyrie, Autumn