King Woman: Created in the Image of Suffering

Even though this is King Woman's first full-length release, the band is hardly making its debut. The band's 2015 EP Doubt garnered praise from several media outlets, including Rolling Stone. With this album, King Woman will certainly receive even more recognition far and wide. The band's surrealist and psychedelic blend of Black Sabbath and Mazzy Star is powerful and unforgettable. From start to finish, the music here is hazy, dark, moody, gloomy, and foreboding. Even though it's probably best described as doom rock, it's more introspective and moving than you might expect. For me, this is music for quiet moments; times when I want to close my eyes and let my mind wander for a while. But the music here isn't the only thing that gets into one's head on this release. The introspective and dream-like lyrics, routinely draw on Christian imagery to make their point. Part of the reason for this is because Kristina Esfandiari (vocals) was raised in a congregation best described in terms of a cult than the typical neighborhood Christian church.

At first listen, Esfandiari's use of Christian imagery seems like an attempt to fight back against her upbringing by using religious language against itself. There are times, however, when Esfandiari's vocals evoke something deeper, whether it's found in love, substances, or an ongoing search for meaning. This isn't a religious album but it is searching, yearning, and (potentially) transcendent. It's also a solid debut album from a very impressive band. Check out "Utopia," "Hierophant," and "Worn."

Track Listing:
1. Citios (Digital Only Bonus Track)
2. Utopia
3. Deny
4. Shame
5. Hierophant
6. Worn
7. Manna
8. Hem

Added: May 19th 2017
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Bandcamp Page
Hits: 1570
Language: english

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