ALBUM REVIEW: Obey The Queen – Scarlet
Nu-metal is finally having its moment in the sun again, and it’s been one of the biggest breaths of fresh air that metal has had in years. Young, talented bands by the handful are establishing a scene poised to be the most exciting crop in a long while. Sweden’s SCARLET may rank among the most unpredictable of the bunch, and that is demonstrated in no better way than on their debut album Obey The Queen. The variety and diverse sonic palette, acerbic and biting lyrical content, and the sheer versatility of lead vocalist Scarlet’s voice makes this record a must hear, as it takes its place near the top of the pile for nu-metal records set to make a splash this year.
One of the biggest thing Obey The Queen has going for it is Scarlet herself. She has an incredible knack for the art of hooks and groove. The reason why nu-metal bands like LIMP BIZKIT shot up the charts twenty years ago and captured such a massive audience was Fred Durst’s remarkable talent for creating short, catchy, bouncy bars and hooks that could ignite an audience, live or otherwise. Scarlet has that talent. Songs like Zodiac and Obey the Queen are full on crowd pleasers full of life and vigour that not only feel like a call to arms but a regular shot in the arm for what nu-metal can be in 2020.
But Scarlet also embraces her darkness, and her weirdness on this album as well. The unpredictability of her vocal performance not only from song to song, but second to second, is exciting and very fun. A song like Devil Twins finds Scarlet at her most diabolical, and she provides more horror movie thrills than any film released this year. It’s a pure blast to listen to, full stop. One second she can be crooning a dark piano ballad (Love Heroin) and the next she’ll combine her creepy little girl voice with incredibly powerful singing (Krokodil). This enigmatic variety is magnetic and keeps the listener on the edge of their seat across the runtime.
Make no mistake, when Scarlet wants to spit, she will with full fury, and when she wants to sing, she’s going to belt it out full on. Her voice and energy are in perfect harmony on songs like #bossbitch and Beauty & Beast, where she raps powerfully, sings powerfully, and even screams powerfully. Scarlet is a powerful and charismatic front woman to be damn sure.
The same can even be said of the instruments as well. Most of the songs are backed by a guitar that takes on a djenty quality, and although a little more oomph and heft in the tone would go miles in elevating the album further, the grooves are there in spades, and it’s not hard to picture a club full of people bouncing like mad to the guitar work here. When it speeds up and goes staccato, it conjures some modern age STATIC-X in its construction and tempo. However, the treat lies in everything going on around the guitars. The electronics on the record are so varied and unique to each song, and yet none feel out of place.
I Spit Fire for instance has these great little breakbeat pre-chorus sections that, for lack of a better descriptor, sound pulled out of the main menu of an intense puzzle video game before launching into an absolutely massive chorus. Each song is full of treats like this and the sonic palette of this record is so varied it is honestly refreshing. Ending on an acoustic ballad like Final Shot feels perfect, and Scarlet gives straight up LADY GAGA vibes with her voice here. It’s a spine tingling end to an album that just feels so alive, vital, and breathing with an uncontainable energy.
SCARLET is on the cusp of something big. Huge, even. Obey The Queen feels like a record that encapsulates everything metal in 2020 should be and is one of the best debut records, especially in nu-metal, in a while. It’s theatrical and humorous at times, but darkly honest in others. It takes the best elements of the best nu-metal: the varied electronics and guitar and vocal grooves and brings them to the front once again. The hooks, the voice, the charisma. It’s all here in spades. And yet, it’s not perfect. Not yet. But it’s not far off. With a few instrumental and some lyrical/songwriting tweaks, this band is going to get to that next level. Watch this space. Keep your eyes and ears peeled. Because SCARLET’s star is going to rise, and it’s only a matter of time. Metal is ready for its next truly great frontwoman.
Rating: 9/10
Obey The Queen is set for release on November 13th via Arising Empire.
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