Citadel's Top 5 Video Game Influences
5. Mass Effect (2007, Xbox 360, PS3)Mass Effect has influenced our band in more ways than just sound. The name Citadel comes from the galactic centrepoint of the Mass Effect universe, The Citadel. The brooding and atmospheric tones that fill out the musical landscape sets a dark sci-fi vibe that really connects with us as musicians. Standout Tracks: Saren & Uncharted Worlds
4. Doom (2016, PS4/Xbox One, PC)I don’t think there are many heavy music fans that aren’t also fans of the Doom soundtrack. Composed by Melbourne-based producer Mick Gordon, Doom is filled with massive djent style riffs, thick electronic walls of sound, and thunderous percussion and textures. There are few gaming experiences better than blasting away hordes of demons to this immaculate soundtrack. Standout tracks: Rip & Tear & BFG Division
3. Mega Man X (1993, Super Nintendo)The Mega Man series is fairly well regarded as far as video game soundtracks go, and Mega Man X sits among the top. Retaining a somewhat 80s hair metal flair to a lot of the melodies and vibes, Capcom’s Alph Lyla group created a range of iconic and dynamic tracks that do an excellent job in capturing the variety of locales and boss designs. Standout Tracks: Boomer Kuwanger & Enter Zero
2. Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and X (1997, 1999, 2001, PS1/PS2) Nobuo Uematsu is well regarded as one of the leading minds in video game soundtracks, and ever since I got into the series back in the late 90s I have been obsessed with his melodies and arrangements. Final Fantasies 7, 8, and 10, for me, are among the finest and feature some of his best and most diverse work. Standout tracks: Sights of Spira (FFX), The Landing (FFVIII), J-E-N-O-V-A (FFVII)
1. Chrono Trigger (1995, Super Nintendo) Chrono Trigger, hands down, is the all time greatest video game soundtrack and is absolutely #1 when it comes to its influence on Citadel’s songwriting. Composer Yasunori Mitsuda nearly worked himself to death working on this game’s score, and at times you can hear the pain & struggle in the melodies and arrangements. Complex melodies and instrumentation carry a certain sense of adventure and timelessness that marries perfectly with the game's plot and themes. Standout tracks: Corridors of Time & Wind Scene
With a debut show sharing stages with Redhook & The Dead Love under their belt, Brisbane progressive-metal prodigies Citadel have today unveiled their second single, ‘Parasyte’. A cathartic and stirring track, detailing the harrowing slew of emotions guitarist Nat Patterson dealt with during the ending of his engagement, coinciding with the death of a close family member. Forced to return to his parent’s home, it details the breadth of emotions he felt during this time period; ranging from deep sadness, to burning frustration. A moving track that begins with singer Russell Miller’s musings atop a singular piano. Building alongside the story’s despair, ‘Parasyte’ reaches a chorus crescendo with the driven guitars of Liam Kelly kicking in alongside drummer Dane Pulvirenti’s syncopated rhythms.
Citadel launched prior to debut single ‘Sundered Souls’, with the quartet becoming close after touring, performing & recording alongside previous projects Osaka Punch, Wildheart & Bayharbour. Combining, they got to work immediately, channeling djent, post-metal and hard rock influences, with a proclivity for work of composers Nobu Uematsu (Final Fantasy OST) & Jack Wall (Mass Effect OST). ‘Parasyte’ was recorded with Gareth Hargreaves (Polaris, Young Lions, The Brave), who helped to mold the song from a barebones idea, to the fleshed out & layered piece heard today. Trusting his ear, Hargreaves also handled the track’s mixing & mastering.
“Parasyte was written at a very dark time in my life, following the end of an engagement and the death of a close family member as well, and is one of the only songs we have where I also wrote the lyrics. Parasyte tackles the complex and harrowing feelings I felt directly after my fiance and I broke it off. I had moved back to my parent’s house to kind of “start over”, and was enduring feelings ranging from deep sadness to burning frustration and anger at how things had turned out.” Nat Patterson, Citadel
“Working alongside Gareth was fantastic, particularly on Parasyte where there is such a heavy emphasis on the piano parts. Having something with the knowledge and skills to turn our rudimentary ideas into something massive (the layered vocals in the chorus being a perfect example) was excellent and we are stoked with the end product.” Liam Kelly, Citadel
Having now introduced themselves to the audiences throughout Brisbane & Australia, Citadel has a string of upcoming performances, sharing stages with Voyager, Semantics & more in the coming months. With more music in their back-pocket, it is only a matter of time before they become a household name across the Australian heavy music landscape.
PRAISE FOR CITADEL
“it traverses big expansive rock to moody loner sounds and pivots between them with ease.”
Declan Byrne, triple j
“Citadel are no strangers to the scene, having performed together in previous acts, Osaka Punch, Wildheart and Bayharbour it makes sense that their debut packs a very big punch. Sundered Souls comes at you as a huge anthemic metal vibe, massive riffs, pounding drum work and a demanding vocal delivery. Kicking in slowly, it doesn’t take long for things to fire up big time.”
AAA Backstage
“The esteemed Brisbane creatives combine to form a quintet, poised to unleash their talent and vision before spreading their progressive metal & melodic brawn fusion across borders and throughout Australia.”
MANIACS
CITADEL ‘PARASYTE’ RELEASE SHOWS
Sat July 2nd Greaser Bar Brisbane
With Semantics, Bad Neighbour, Drastic Park & more
TicketsThurs July 14th The Zoo Brisbane
With Glass Tides, Shangrila & Grizzlyshark
Sun Aug 21st The Triffid Brisbane
With Voyager, Acolyte, The Stranger & more
