Rigorious – Kingdom Unfold

Rigorious
Kingdom Unfold
Label: Metalapolis Records
Out: January 17^th, 2025
Playing time: 50:45

Rigorious hail from Monheim am Rhein, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia. The press release describes the band as ‘one of the most promising young German Power Metal bands’. Founded in 2021, the first EP ‘Iron Wings / Power Of My Sword’ was released just one year later. The debut album ‘Night Of Retribution’ followed in 2023. The follow-up ‘Kingdom Unfold’ is scheduled for January 2025. The albums were produced by Chris Boltendahl (Grave Digger) at Graveyard Studio in Cologne. That should already guarantee high quality. Rigorious were also able to make their mark live. They have shared the stage with bands such as Grave Digger, Brainstorm as well as Orden Ogan.

‘Fate Is Sealed’ delivers an impressive opening in high-speed mode. After a synth-supported introduction, the drums are the main driving force. However, I could definitely do without the occasional synth passages. The guitar solo is more convincing. Epic choruses and double bass, that’s how ‘King’ presents itself. Plus growls that can’t be blurred by the keyboard tapestries. The chorus has an epic vocal effect. ‘Hear Me Out’ is initially characterised by electric piano and rhythmic drums. A song that scratches a little at the mainstream. ‘Bathed In Blood’ is then heavier, thanks to the hard riffs and the double bass. The keyboard tapestries do nothing to change this. It remains melodic despite everything. ‘Midnight’ is a calm mid-tempo stomper with lower-pitched guitars. Lukas Remus’ deeper vocals fit perfectly here. The song could almost pass for a semi-ballad if there wasn’t a fast guitar solo underpinned by the double bass towards the end. The ballad then follows with ‘Ignite The Flame’. At least partially, until about halfway through the song. At first, acoustic guitars and synth strings dominate, underpinning the calm vocals. Later on, we hear a build-up in which the tempo picks up. A strong guitar solo follows almost at the end. ‘The Wish’ is an anthem that features double bass attacks as well as keyboard tapestries. ‘The Snake’ is a mid-tempo rocker. Lukas Remus sings a duet here. But who is the partner here? And the two guitarists shine once again. Also ‘Into The Sea’ is in the mid-tempo range. Here, too, there is a vocal duet. Unfortunately, there is again no information as to who is singing the second vocal part. The choruses create a somewhat epic atmosphere. The orchestral introduction to ‘To Life’ is also epic. And the orchestral passages can be heard again and again throughout the entire song. Later on, different vocals can be heard again. Harsh and clear vocals alternate. ‘Dreams’ starts off with synthesiser gimmicks but also with strong riffs. Later, the drums set a high tempo. The fast Rock song ‘Akeldama’ forms the finale after the short synth introduction. Characterised by partly polyphonic vocals. But the synth strings repeatedly push themselves to the fore. A final guitar solo can also be heard.

What can I say, ‘Kingdom Unfold’ is a successful album. Full of variety and beautiful melodies. The choruses and keyboard tapestries provide a lot of epicness. Although the latter could definitely be used a little more sparingly. Several different vocals can be heard. As there is no information about other singers in the band or guest singers, it is reasonable to assume that they were all sung by Lukas Remus. If this is the case, he has an enormous vocal range. Metal fans should not miss this album.

Rigorious – The Snake: https://youtu.be/avPR4zwaoBc?si=jWw0O1GfCjTajO7S

Lineup:

Lukas Remus – Vocals
Lukas Famula – Guitar
Christopher Blankenaufulland – Guitar
Sebastian Kanczok – Bass
Paul Reil – Drums

Track list:

• Fate Is Sealed
• King
• Hear Me Out
• Bathed In Blood
• Midnight
• Ignite The Flame
• The Wish
• The Snake
• Into The Sea
• To Life
• Dreams
• Akeldama