ALBUM REVIEW: Bury Tomorrow – The Union of Crowns

British boys Bury Tomorrow have gone from strength to strength over the past few years. It has been three long years since their debut album Portraits, so it was vital that the band captivated all the growth and experience they have gained on The Union of Crowns to produce a ground breaking second album.

Redeemer begins very solidly. The opening beatdown is interesting, layering an eerie guitar lead with an unquestionably heavy rhythm, introducing a darker side to the band. Melody is smashed in quickly, and contrasted with Dani Winter-Bates’ low, yet clear growls to enforce that they are capable of reaching both ends of the vocal spectrum.

The first single Lionheart has been blowing our minds for almost a year now, but they have re-recorded the song to fit with the rest of the album production-wise. Thankfully though, they have realised that they achieved perfection first time round and haven’t altered a single thing. The only negative so far is that they have modified some of the vocal patterns on the second single Royal Blood, which, like Lionheart, did not really need changing.

Progression and diversity are two key features that music fans look for in new albums. Bury Tomorrow have achieved it by the bucketload on The Union of Crowns, regularly experimenting with new ideas and effects to expand on the foundations previously laid on their debut album. Abdication of Power hits you with an exhilarating pace; flowing 1603 into Sceptres seamlessly shows that dynamic range does not faze them; and relying solely on Jason Cameron for vocal duties on A Curse creates a chilling and epic finale.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this album is the monarchic theme that penetrates right through the album. Whether you’re a fan of the modern monarch or not, the history behind them has been an integral part of British history, and through incorporating it metaphorically into the lyrical content, they are proudly broadcasting their heritage to a global audience.

The Union of Crowns is how British metal should be: full of pride, power and melody.