Review: The Salt Pale Collective – The Crimson Queen Has No Tongue

Style: IDM, Experimental, Post-Metal (mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Sunn O))), The Ocean, Primitive Man
Review by: Cooper
Country: United Kingdom
Release date: 25 August, 2023

Whenever I am looking for albums to review I make sure to pay special attention to any albums that may be parts of a larger series or serve as companion pieces to other works because if there’s one thing that gets me going as a prog metal fan, it’s concept. When a band puts in the effort to create a companion piece to an already great album, I take notice, and with The Crimson Queen Has No Tongue, The Salt Pale Collective have done just that. Before reading, make sure to check out my review for A Body That Could Pass Through Stones and Trees; it will provide essential context for the discussion here.

Composed of a single 20 minute song, this companion EP begins in quite a similar manner to its big brother. In fact, I believe the synth track that begins both may be identical. However, where the album delved into brutally heavy riffs and harsh vocals, the EP further explores the dark, synth-laden atmosphere. Vocal samples fade in and out of existence like dark planets on some intergalactic voyage and the synth wails on the like the hum of the engines propelling us. And this is how The Crimson Queen Has No Tongue continues. Changes are gradual to the point where I often didn’t notice a new chapter had commenced until it was well under way, and the only constant is the humming synth.

Never content to stay in one place, the synth tones on this track range from grimy and muted to pristine and breathtaking. The highlights of this track are in its transitions which as I have said are difficult to initially hear, but infinitely rewarding when clued in on. The cello entrance around the midway point is especially spectacular, but that is all I want to spoil. In fact, there is very little I want to spoil about this track. It is so unlike anything TSPC did on the true album, that I cannot confidently recommend it even if you enjoyed that release. Try to go in with zero expectations, and let the synth carry you away to wherever it will.

Recommended tracks: The Crimson Queen Has No Tongue
You may also like: Bruit, Sabled Sun, Cryo Chamber
Final verdict: 8/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page

Label: Independent

The Salt Pale Collective is:
– Baz (Ebow)
– Dave, Alex (Vocals)
– Ross, Rubby, Jimmy (Voices)