Heavy metal aristocracy

Baroness offers up heavy metal with a purpose, never missing an opportunity to insert a melodic overture into their flawlessly curated collection of songs. Their latest endeavor, Stone, features poignant pieces such as “Embers,” paving the way for a thought-provoking, introspective album with equal parts soul and grit. 

Tracks such as “Last Word” experiment with sound and emotion, its substantial instrumentals satiating any heavy metal appetite. However, Baroness still manages to capture an emotive place in hard rock history, presenting listeners with a wildly melodic album. 

From start to finish, the album’s vocals are the perfect blend of raw angst and artfully crafted perfection. Each song manifests a darker feel without ostracizing those in search of something a little bit mainstream (but just a little bit). “Beneath the Rose” opens with a stream of infectious sound, percussion paving the way for an unstoppable guitar solo. The entire track is fast-paced and delivers a high-energy performance, the vocals bordering on spoken voice stylings. 

“Choir” kicks things off with a punchy guitar riff offset by deep, gravelly vocals. There’s an echo effect in place that adds to an already haunting melody. As the song progresses, the drums become angry — distorted — and the song ends as quickly as it began. 

To showcase their lighter side, Baroness offers “The Dirge,” a pretty, yet brief interlude that readies the listener for even more dynamic songs to come. “Anodyne” provides an interesting texture of guitar solos and sound before “Shine” enters the conversation, an appealing intro captivating audiences before stepping aside for a heavier sound. The song ebbs and flows, speeding up to convey emotion before falling back as melodic vocals take center stage. 

“Magnolia” introduces itself ever so ethereally, with relaxed guitars easing off the throttle as heavier riffs steal the spotlight. As with “Shine,” the pace is texturized with varying degrees of beats, keeping listeners on their toes. “Under the Wheel” also opens with a fragile sound before switching gears. As the song shifts, it transforms into something guttural, dripping with emotion. 

A delicate guitar riff and dueling, touching vocals make “Bloom” the album’s unsung hero as Baroness showcases the depths of the band’s talent. The track is laced with stirring lyrics, guided imagery and enough talent to have fans begging for more.