After 13 years of hiatus, I admit I didn’t have much hope for Kittie’s return, especially after the release of Origins / Evolutions in 2017 – a true celebration of their history.
With that in mind, and as a woman who discovered that women can also do extreme vocals by listening to Kittie in the early 2000s, I can say that hearing this new album is like reconnecting with a dear friend.
Throughout the album, we are hit by an aggressive Morgan Lander, with excellent growls, interspersed with well-placed clean vocals (her trademark). This combination can be heard in tracks like “Falter” and “Are You Entertained.” Similarly, it’s important to mention the deliciously heavy riffs by her and Tara MacLeod, as seen in tracks like “Fire” and “Vultures.”
While the title track shows how versatile Lander is by alternating different vocal techniques, “Eyes Wide Open” closes the album showing how heavy the group’s sound can be.
In summary, this album shows that the quartet is more alive than ever, very experienced, and not concerned with fitting into the Nu Metal label, despite the current resurgence of interest in this style among GenZ. It’s a mature work by women who are not afraid to be fierce, still have a lot to offer the metal scene, and say without fear: “I Still Wear This Crown.”
Artists: Kittie