The Kingdom Of The Blind
Self-Released, 2024
9/10
Listen to The Kingdom Of The Blind
The 6th album from the UK rockers This Twisted Wreckage, the mastermind Luke ‘Skyscraper’ James brings along a lot of experience and talent to a progressive and atypical listening experience.
“Step Into The Air” starts the listen with strong attention to atmosphere, where dense drums and cryptic singing abruptly enter the buzzing landscape, and “The Power” follows with an upbeat and soulful appeal that allows for expressive singing to flow alongside the rhythmic music.
Moving towards the middle, “Then There Was Man” is beat driven and mysterious, while “Somethings Got To Change” thumps with an alt-rock sort of energy that is accompanied by James’ deep voice and swirling guitar.
Closer to the end, “Racing Nowhere” is a charged moment of agile drumming and meticulous guitar that's a bid edgier, and “Leaving Now” exits with Gothic and post-punk undertones that align with plenty of harmonic and memorable song craft.
James handles vocals, lyrics and additional guitar here, and Ricky Humphrey contributes music and arrangements. Together, their inimitable formula might bring to mind David Bowie or Porcupine Tree, and it certainly is one of today’s most interesting mashings of prog, alt, New Wave and Gothic ideas.
Travels well with: This Twisted Wreckage- Billions; Blackout Transmission- Sparse Illumination