Wow, this is incredible! And, to be honest, “The half-dream hologram” is actually too amazing to really believe that it's the first release ever by Crowns & Thieves. This young german band manages it to play modern hardcore without sounding like loads of other bands of this genre – even better: By mixing the typical modern hardcore with many screamo influences they almost created a new style, an own style.

Starting with slow and melancholic melodies, the first song “Aerodrome” is a pretty good preview for what follows; emotional tunes and mostly depressive lyrics create a wonderful, kind of depressive atmosphere on the entire record. While the next two songs, “Waifs and strays” as well as “Author”, are more or less typical for this genre, the fourth song called “Somewhere down the road” is the real highlight of this record. Starting with calm guitars and even a piano, this song shows the real quality of the four boys. By the way, the band recorded a music video for exactly this song – definitely a good choice! Afterwards, the album finds a great ending in the last two songs called “The old town waves” and “Crown me”, which are both full of great melodies and desparate vocals again.

To summarize it, this is one of the best records in a while. An impressive atmosphere, great melodies and deep lyrics - “The half-dream hologram” implies it all. Probably no one expected such a great debut LP, this is just amazing!

Crowns & Thieves - The half-dream hologram
Germany
Genre: Melodic Hardcore / Screamo
facebook

1. Aerodrome
2. Waifs and strays
3. Author
4. Somewhere down the road
5. The old town waves
6. Crown me
Bandcamp