Thirteen Goats Release Capricorn Rising: A Thrilling Saga of Darkness and Desperation
Vancouver’s own Thirteen Goats have just unleashed Capricorn Rising, their second album, via Exitus Stratagem Records. A masterwork of extreme metal, this album sees Thirteen Goats pushing the boundaries of thrash, progressive death, and groove metal into new, darkly compelling realms. Known for their unapologetic intensity and technical prowess, the band has delivered an album that is as thought-provoking as it is brutally entertaining. Now streaming on all major platforms, Capricorn Rising showcases Thirteen Goats at the peak of their musical power and ambition.
This nine-track journey introduces us to “Shepherd,” a man driven to sell his soul in order to communicate with non-human forces, hoping to solve humanity’s existential crises. But as Shepherd’s journey unfolds, so does a disturbing transformation: his desperate measures to fix society’s ills lead him down a path that ultimately mirrors the very corruption and violence he sought to eliminate. Thirteen Goats takes listeners through this narrative with a relentless assault of riffs, blast beats, and complex grooves, punctuated by melodic and rhythmically intricate shifts that catch the listener off-guard.
Graham K. Miles, the band’s frontman and creative force, describes Capricorn Rising as an album that builds upon the band’s previous work with greater focus and depth. Miles’ vocals strike the perfect balance between the vicious growls of black and death metal and the grittier, more guttural sounds of groove metal, grounding each song with intense emotion. His storytelling draws us deep into the themes of environmental ruin, social collapse, and the corrupting influence of power, reflecting the real-world struggles in hauntingly vivid ways.
The musicianship across the album is truly a standout. The guitar work is fast, razor-sharp, and technically impressive, recalling influences from Mastodon to Cannibal Corpse. Each riff and solo from Thirteen Goats’ guitarists showcases a fusion of classic thrash grit and the meticulous precision of progressive metal. On the drum front, the unrelenting blast beats and complex rhythms keep the energy high while adding texture to the unfolding chaos of Shepherd’s story.
Notable tracks include “Sign of the Goat,” a punishing anthem that captures the protagonist’s descent into darkness; “Beheading Zoo,” with its unforgettable, bone-crushing breakdowns; and “Murder Lives in the Heart,” which is accompanied by a powerful music video that underscores the intensity and vision of the album. Critics have been quick to praise the album, with Decibel Magazine calling it a “high-concept narrative” that blends the stylistic prowess of legends like Lamb of God, Carcass, and Cynic.
As they continue to gain momentum, Thirteen Goats are set to take the stage alongside metal heavyweights like Bonded by Blood and Abysmal Dawn. Their live shows, known for their raw energy and visceral impact, are sure to win over new fans and further cement their status in the metal scene.
If Capricorn Rising is any indication, Thirteen Goats are a force that refuses to be ignored. For fans of extreme metal, this album is an absolute must-listen—a thrilling, darkly satisfying journey through a mythic, scorched earth.
