Denver based alternative rocker Paul Brainerd, who is featured under the name Cindered Heart, has let out his second track “Queen of Decay”, which is a dark emo track with industrial undertones enveloped in vampiric tension. This track is an out and out loud cry for those who are in the world yet are not of it, and it comes with a measure of pounding music with hip hop elements that gives me goosebumps every time.
The song starts with an adrenaline synths and sharp guitar riffs that built up an intensity of a dark movie hitters scene. Riding a beat that has equal parts industrial and mechanized with haunting vocals draped all over it ‘Queen of Decay’ combines the concept of gothic folklore with the sheer visceral emotion of the human heart. The keen orchestration leading to build ups and drops, the powerful synths and ambient feel lends a dreamlike comfort while not losing sight of a human element of weakness and strength.
Brainerd uses his vocal cords perfectly creating the sort of melodies which perfectly complements the lyrics’ content as well as depicting raw energies in his works. The track is an invitation to broken people to come and face it here, so that they may fix themselves in a new beautiful world portrayed in solitude and melancholy.
“Queen of Decay” is also proving that Brainerd is not only versatile while performing live but also can concoct innovative and complex beats of VampTrap, Gothic Industrial Rock, and Alt-Hip-Hop. It’s a song that thrives on arousal; love, pain, life and its beauty and all depicted with raw force and elegance.
Whether you’re a listener of the darkwave genre or a fan of trap metal or emo rock, with the song “Queen of Decay” Cindered Heart will hypnotise you and continue to be an empowering representative of misfits and dreamers.
