Crown Lands for Heavy Prog

https://www.youtube.com/@CrownLandsMusic/videos

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Lands_(band)

https://www.discogs.com/artist/6681491-Crown-Lands

https://crownlands.bandcamp.com/album/rise-over-run

Crown Lands is the brainchild of Bowmanville singer/drummer Cody BOWLES and guitarist/keyboardist/bassist Kevin COMEAU from Whitby, Ontario. Since meeting in 2015 at a band audition, where they bonded over a love of prog icons RUSH, the pair have thrived on a diverse mix of ideas and activity.

Crown Lands began life playing punchy, straight up rock’n’roll mixed with psych blues, and they recorded three EPs before releasing their self-titled debut album 'Crown Lands' in 2020, this being recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville, and produced by six-time Grammy winner Dave COBB (RIVAL SONS, Chris STAPLETON).

Then, following a series of long, conceptual singles, the band’s fresh approach led to them receiving the 2021 Juno Award for "Breakthrough Group of the Year", and their sophomore studio album 'Fearless' is set to be released on March 31st via Spinefarm Records/Universal Music Canada. This is a modern-day progressive opus, heavily inspired by RUSH, but also swirled with flavours of YES, PINK FLOYD and the wealth of other artists that have shaped the duo's music.

Recorded at Universal’s studio in Toronto with producer David BOTRILL (RUSH, MUSE, TOOL, MASTODON) 'Fearless' came together over a six-month period in short, intense bursts in between tours. The record marries futuristic sci-fi elements with the very real issues Indigenous people have gone through in the past. For now, the duo are committed to performing these works as a two-piece, but they dream of eventually putting together a Crown Lands touring band.

Visualiser of Crown Lands performing the 18-minute first track of the new record: "Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II"

Previous releases:

'Crown Lands' (debut album, 2020):

1. Spit It Out (3:25) 

2. River (4:03) 

3. Leadfoot (3:29) 

4. Howlin' Back (2:13) 

5. End Of The Road (4:27) 

6. Forest Son (4:09) 

7. Sun Dance (5:27) 

Total time 27:13

'Mantra' (EP, 2016):

1. Being Right (2:52) 

2. Mantra (2:37) 

3. Sweet Avalon (2:26) 

4. One Good Reason (2:58) 

5. Scott Fitzgerald (3:16) 

Total time 14:09 

'Rise Over Run' (EP, 2017):

1. Constant Motion (3:11) 

2. Misery (3:35) 

3. Big River Road (4:07) 

4. Leatherman's Blues (2:02) 

5. Mountain (3:11) 

6. Waterfall (3:01) 

Total time 19:07

'Wayward Flyers Vol. 1' (EP, 2020):

1. Howlin' Back Again (2:50) 

2. Roving On (2:26) 

3. The Witching Hour (4:57) 

4. Birds (2:18) 

5. No Sympathy (3:18) 

Total time 15:49

'White Buffalo' (EP, 2021):

1. Inner Light (4:44) 

2. White Buffalo (3:51) 

3. The Witching Hour (Electric Witch) (5:43) 

4. The Oracle (13:15) 

Total time 27:33

'Odyssey Vol. 1' (Live, 2021):

1. Inner Light - Live In Session - 2021 (4:38) 

2. Right Way Back - Live In Session - 2021 (4:01) 

3. Context: Fearless Pt. I - Live In Session - 2021 (8:07) 

4. Mountain - Live In Session - 2021 (4:26) 

5. End Of The Road - Live In Session - 2021 (4:52) 

6. White Buffalo - Live In Session - 2021 (3:49) 

7. The Witching Hour (Electric Witch) - Live In Session - 2021 (5:52) 

8. Sun Dance - Live In Session - 2021 (6:20) 

9. The Oracle - Live In Session - 2021 (14:42) 

Total time 56:47

'Right Way Back' (Live At Revolution Recording, Toronto, 18.03.21):

'Discover Crown Lands' (Compilation, 2022):

1. White Buffalo (3:51) 

2. The Witching Hour (Electric Witch) (5:43) 

3. Context: Fearless Pt. I (7:49) 

4. Right Way Back (3:51) 

5. End Of The Road (4:27) 

6. Howlin' Back Again (2:50) 

7. The Oracle (13:15) 

8. Sun Dance (5:27) 

Total time 47:13

- Cody Bowles / drums, vocals

- Kevin Comeau / guitar, bass, synthesizer

More info: https://xtramagazine.com/culture/music/crown-lands-prog-rock-comeau-bowles-213645.

The 'Fearless' album upon which the evaluation for inclusion in Heavy Prog should really be based doesn't drop until the end of March, so I expect the team will want to put this suggestion on the back burner until then. The eventual decision should be a formality though, based on the three songs from the album that have been released so far. Two insanely gifted musicians to say the very least.

Here's an even better video of the 18-minute "Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II" track, which was made available just yesterday, and shows the guys actually playing it live.

Incredible stuff!