ALBUM REVIEW ~ SKARLETT RIOT ~ 'INVICTA'

I'm Music Magazine, Skarlett Riot, Despotz Records, Invicta, Gravity, female fronted

Invicta is coming at you from UK metal band, Skarlett Riot, and it’s fire! Released by Despotz Records and Produced by Skarlett Riot, this album delves into the heavier tones in comparison to Skarlett Riot‘s beginnings. Formed in Scunthorpe, England in 2010, Skarlett Riot started in a more Alternative Rock genre with their first self-titled EP, and later, first album, Tear Me Down, released in 2013. EP’s Villain, We Are the Brave and Sentience followed in 2012, 2015 and 2016, leading up to their sophomore album, Regenerate, in 2017.

Skarlett’s evolution brought their anthemic music into a more hardcore sound, and now they are ready to release the fantastic new album, Invicta. A strong, ethereal drumbeat opens this album and the passion with this band is immediately evident. The first song, “Breaking the Habit”, will break your heart and rebuild it with strength, rising from the earth in flames of fortitude. Evoking your most vulnerable emotions, this powerhouse of an album is one of the strongest albums I’ve heard in awhile. Songs like “To the Flames”, “Gravity” and “Stronger” will inspire you. I think I now have better self-esteem from the influence of this terrific album.

The identifiable “Black Cloud” explores the darkness of depression with a range of otherworldly screams, haunting whispers and clean, crying vocals from Skarlett. The start of the song “Underwater” seizes your attention with Luke Oglesby’s drums; echoing and shockingly outstanding with every beat. Intense growls peel the goosebumps off your spine and animalistic cries to be saved capture the angst of the soul.

“Cut the Ties” will rock you from the start with a riveting guitar intro. This song explores the empowerment of cutting toxicity and negativity from your life and escaping a relationship that was feeding off of itself like an energy vampire. The next song on the album, “Into Pieces” carries the weight of heartbreaking, poignant lyrics. A switch to softer vocals cradles your emotions. You can feel the very pain itself radiating off Skarlett’s stellar vocals. The quiet acceptance of a tragic fate looms sobering on this powerful song.

“Not Alone” stands out as an anthem for survival. The lyrics carry you across the devastating journey of a traumatized woman seeking perhaps a Savior, a salvation, a friend; anyone not to be alone anymore. On a personal note, I found this song to be immensely healing and soothing of my own daily struggles against depression and Complex PTSD.

Speaking of a lack of self-love that leads to the death of a relationship, “Falling” brought me to a standstill; searching for the words to describe this 4 minute and 32 second mini-masterpiece that continues on to describe the pain of setting your soul mate free to save him or her from yourself. The album wraps up with the single released last year, “Human”, which, to quote Skarlett, “Stresses the importance of respecting one another in all aspects of life. You don’t know the battles someone could be facing behind closed doors!” Always be kind.

What…a…phenomenal…album! Order your copy of Invicta today at skarlettriot.co.uk!

I’m Music Magazine Contributing Writer Breezy Blake