Created in the Image of Suffering is the debut studio album by American doom metal band King Woman, released on February 24, 2017, through Relapse Records. The album has strong religious themes, inspired by the band's lead member Kristina Esfandiari's upbringing in a Charismatic Christian church.[3] The album was recorded with producer Jack Shirley at the Atomic Garden in Palo Alto, California.[4] King Woman supported Created in the Image of Suffering with an international tour, including a performance at Roadburn Festival.[5]
Created in the Image of Suffering | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 24, 2017 | |||
Studio | The Atomic Garden (Palo Alto, California) | |||
Genre | Doom metal, post-metal,[1] shoegaze[2] | |||
Length | 38:50 | |||
Label | Relapse | |||
Producer | Jack Shirley | |||
King Woman chronology | ||||
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The album's cover art was created by Esfandiari's friend Ars Moriendee, after appearing to Esfandiari in a "weird vision". She explained the vision to Moriendee, who then "made it come to life."[6]
Critical reception
editThe album was included in Consequence of Sound's '10 Most Anticipated Metal Albums of 2017' list.[7]
Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from music critics. Metal Injection's Jeremy Ulrey described the album as "An impressive debut by a group that has admirably hewn their own path to get here."
The album ranked 22 on Noisey's top 100 albums of 2017 list.[8] The album was also included by Pitchfork in its list of The 10 Best Metal Albums of 2017.[9] The Guardian music critic Charlotte Richardson Andrews chose Created in the Image of Suffering as one of the best albums of 2017.[10]
Metalriot.com chose the album as their number one best album for all of 2017. Morgan Y. Evans wrote: "It channels the horror and pain of our times perfectly but doesn’t give up..."[11]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Utopia" | 3:10 |
2. | "Deny" | 3:54 |
3. | "Shame" | 3:39 |
4. | "Hierophant" | 7:59 |
5. | "Worn" | 4:37 |
6. | "Manna" | 6:16 |
7. | "Hem" | 8:06 |
Personnel
edit- Kristina Esfandiari – vocals, guitar
- Colin Gallagher – guitar
- Peter Arensdorf – bass
- Joey Raygoza – drums
References
edit- ^ Ulrey, Jeremy (2017-03-02). "Album Review: KING WOMAN Created in the Image of Suffering". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
- ^ Ulrey, Jeremy (2017-03-02). "Album Review: KING WOMAN Created in the Image of Suffering". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
- ^ Coughlan, Jamie. "King Woman Interview "I could have let it ruin my life. Instead I took control of things"". Overblown. Overblown.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- ^ "King Woman Announce New Album 'Created In The Image Of Suffering'". New Noise Magazine. December 13, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Kaye, Ben (January 24, 2017). "King Woman wrestle with the torment of religion in video for new song "Deny" — watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Coughlan, Jamie. "King Woman Interview "I could have let it ruin my life. Instead I took control of things"". Overblown. Overblown.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- ^ O'Connor, Andy (6 January 2017). "The 10 Most Anticipated Metal Albums of 2017". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2017". Noisey. Vice Media. 6 December 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Sodomsky, Sam (28 December 2017). "The 10 Best Metal Albums of 2017". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Music, Guardian (22 December 2017). "The best albums and tracks of 2017: how our writers voted". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Metal Riot's 50 Best of 2017 – Metal Riot". Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-02-08.