Pitch Black Records is now the home of Flitcraft, the Australian band put together by Phillip T. King (Butterfly/Galaxy), who handles all vocals, guitars, and keyboards, alongside Zac Halpin (bass) and Jack Phillips (drums/percussion). Labeled as "part heavy and part lite, part psychedelic and part progressive", all of these descriptions take place throughout House at the Centre of the Universe. "Error Era" kicks thing off in robust classic heavy metal fashion, with King's histrionic high-pitched vocals soaring over the top of some impressive riff-o-rama, which continues through the impressive "Earth Is Not a Perfect Sphere"...so, two for two to kick off the album. "I Forgot Everything (Research at Dive Bars)" is not quite as successful, mainly thanks to King's vocals sounding a bit out of key and straining a bit. It's here that I'm starting to wear on me his lack of vocal depth, but musically it's a decent enough hard rocker. "Chrysalistless (Uly’s Lament)" takes a more folk-based approach, and I'm again noticing how Phillip's vocals are starting to grate on me. "Galactic Road Trip (Wayworn Travellers)" fares better, and I think the issue is that his upper register vocal style works best on heavier material, this one, in particular, having a slight Rush feel. Musically, this is top-notch stuff. "Smoko With Sisyphus" (what???) is another belter, though again, King's vocals are starting to sound a tad monotonous; it's not that he has a bad voice, but he rarely varies his attack here. Closer "The House (Entering, Redintegration, Mother Reprise, Era’s End)" has a nice doom-laden feel to it, featuring some colossal guitar riffs, and I can't help but feel that House at the Centre of the Universe would be a pretty special album if perhaps another member of the band also sang to offer up some variety on the vocal front. King is fine in moderation, but 40 minutes of just him wears on my patience a bit. Otherwise, some powerhouse material here.
Track Listing
1.
Error Era (2137) 04:26
2.
Earth is Not a Perfect Sphere 04:30
3.
I Forgot Everything (Research at Dive Bars) 04:16
4.
Chrysalistless (Uly’s Lament) 04:55
5.
Galactic Road Trip (Wayworn Travellers) 05:38
6.
Mother Jane (Mnemosyne) 01:23
7.
Smoko With Sisyphus 05:10
8.
The Pyre of John McDonald 03:49
9.
The House (Entering, Redintegration, Mother Reprise, Era’s End) 06:04
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