Review by Saxy S for Caligula's Horse - Charcoal Grace (2024)

When Charcoal Grace is at its best, Caligula's Hose are playing into their very best elements and turning them up to eleven. This band has always been great at writing the long, ten minute epic that I always cry about whenever I see them on an album. They have also redeveloped a knack for melodic songwriting, which make for some of their most memorable tunes since Bloom. The decreased focus on djent inspired instrumentals is very nice as well. However, I can still detect that Caligula's Horse aren't really reinventing the wheel all that much. Not like they need to of course; but the album cannot maintain that 8/10 pace for an entire playthrough. This becomes especially apparent during the "Charcoal Grace" saga, which starts and ends very well, but is marred by two clunkers during the middle. I also felt less than impressed by the second ten minute epic "Mute" as well. 

Best Songs: The World Breathes with Me, Charcoal Grace (pts. I & IV only), Sails, The Stormchaser