Cresent - Cresent EP

Power metal lives down ol’ Tobacco Road!

The Greensboro, North Carolina-based power metal band Cresent was formed in 2000 by axeman Alex Bledsoe and drummer Chris Tallman.  Vocalist/guitarist Chris Parrish was added in 2001, as was bass slinger Preston Smith.  Shortly after Parrish decided to relinquish his guitar duties to give his full attention to his vocal attack, so the band hired longtime friend Jamie Lam to take over the second guitar spot.  After many rehearsals, the band started pounding the pavement, destroying the clubs, and began to build a strong following among metal fans in their corner of the Tarheel State.  In 2004, Jamie Lam decided to part ways and Cresent acquired Troy Shaw to take over the lead guitar role.  As the year 2006 rolled around, Cresent recorded and released their first EP.  Sadly, co-founder Alex Bledsoe decided to leave the band after the EP was finished, but all was not lost as Jamie Lam found his way back home and joined up once again on guitar.

The debut EP of Cresent showcases a tight, fast, and furious power metal blizzard, and after one listen, it is obvious why this band is on the rise in their native state.  So, without further ado, why don’t we take a spin and let the metal do the talking!

The blitzkrieg begins with “Freedom Rings," a call to arms for defense of a warrior’s beloved homeland.  Acoustic guitar melodies fill your speakers until they are shredded by a chugging locomotive of speed riffs.  We are introduced to Parrish’s vocals, and they are emotional and powerful.  Prepare to defend your homes, because they may be rendered to dust by this track!

The assault does not slow down for one second as we dive into “Forgotten Future."  More power thrash riffing overlapped by some nice lead licks.  Another very sweet track that showcases some neat little breaks and some excellent double bass tap-dancing by Tallman, and a very high scream!  METAL!

A Maiden-esque lead riff begins “Bloodlines”, which is another neck breaker!  Parrish hits some more great high notes, while the crunchy riffs take a more mid-tempo turn.  Headbangers’ delight personified!  Cool harmony licks, too!

“Last Gathering” slows the pace down to a heavy metal march on this ominous track, featuring some haunting chord chugging as the band proves that slower does not mean softer!  It means HEAVIER!  The solo on this one kills as the pace quickens…is your neck broken yet?  No?  LIAR!  It has to be!

The sad and mournful vocals that begin “Garden Of Memories” set the tone for this dark number.  While the band pounds out the sorrowful riffage, Parrish sings with all the emotion he can muster, as this track was dedicated to his family “in remembrance of Jason Daniel”.  I can appropriately describe this heart wrencher as “metal for the mourning."  Powerful and poignant, excellent stuff.

“From Shadowed Places” brings this amazing EP to a close.  You can feel the intensity of the hellacious galloping riffs, Parrish’s piercing wail, and more of the power thrash riffing that has set the tone of this whole offering.  An epic power metal track that could easily be a classic.

As a band, Cresent definitely delivers the goods.  Alex Bledsoe lays down a crushing rhythmic foundation that is liable to cause a 7.0 earthquake, and Troy Shaw lays down lead riffs that will obliterate anything that is left standing.  The rumble of bassist Preston Smith and the cannon volleys of skinsman Chris Tallman unite to form a veritable rhythm section wrecking crew.  And if that wasn’t enough, Chris Parrish is one of the best power metal vocalists I have heard in my short history of covering independent metal.  His delivery will remind many fans of the legendary Matthew Barlow, with his emotional depth and his powerful screams!  Listening to his voice with your headphones too loud can cause permanent hearing damage when he belts out that scream on “Forgotten Future," but if that happens, you can bet your last memory of sound will be a good one!  On second thought…why would you want to go deaf?  Too much metal and so little time!

Now I ask you, after hearing this EP, and reading this review…or is it hearing the review and reading the EP?  Too much beer and too little sleep makes me go crazy…anyway, a few spins of this amazing EP will leave you no doubt that Cresent is going to make life a little louder...nay…A LOT LOUDER for the metal masses in the Carolinas and hopefully around the USA, and if that happens, many a neighbor will lose some sleep because this EP kicks so much ass that you need to crank it to 11!

I think the Tarheel state has found their power metal champions…and they are Cresent.  This EP is definitely worth the dough, now, when can we expect a full-length?  I can’t wait!

Review written by: Matt B.       
Date: January 10, 2007
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5