Brisbane progressive-metal prodigies Citadel released the cathartic and stirring Parasyte last week. Detailing the harrowing slew of emotions guitarist Nat Patterson dealt with during the ending of his engagement which coincided 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.  It is a startlingly accomplished song from a band who have garnered widespread acclaim since dropping their debut single Sundered Souls. In this Maniacs exclusive, Citadel have shared with us the songs that inspired Parasyte. 

Citadel - Parasyte

The Songs That Inspired Citadel - Parasyte

 

Holding Absence - Birdcage

In 2020, when the band was first coming together, there were 4 bands that really came into our rotations: Spiritbox, Sleep Token, Loathe, and Holding Absence. Holding Absence is definitely one of the most interesting and widely appealing of the group, and has a bunch of songs that get really stuck in your head. With Birdcage, Holding Absence really set the bar high for anthemic, powerful vocal hooks over thick, guitar-driven choruses.

Underoath - Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape

 This was one of the first times we ever heard a heavy band do the ‘soft start, built into a heavy finish’ thing. Such an iconic song from an iconic band that probably heavily shaped our perception of what a heavy band can do.

Sleep Token - Blood Sport

Sleep Token are a very, very important band to us. Their use of dynamics across every single song of theirs have shaped us in some way. ‘Blood Sport’ ignited our love for piano and its place in heavy music. The way this song builds centered on the piano into a huge, emotional anthem really inspired us to do something along these lines. Maybe someday one of us will be good at piano though.

The Naked and Famous - Grow Old

It may come as a surprise to most when they hear The Naked and Famous are actually a major influence on Nat’s songwriting. They have a knack for creating densely layered and vibey pop bangers that you just can’t get out of your head. Grow Old in particular is a moody, brooding piece that explodes into an emotional crescendo, with lyrics that tackle the inevitable end of a toxic relationship.

Hurtwave - Bleach

 Rory Rodriguez is a huge inspiration vocally for us. His work in Hurtwave & Dayseeker is in the 1% of what’s out in the alternative music industry. At the time of conception for ‘Parasyte,’ Bleach was heavily in our rotation. The falsetto swoops and defeated tone dancing through pop-melodies were very important to us. Also Synthwave is sick.

Joji - Slow Dancing In The Dark

 Another Synthwave masterpiece on our list. This song has such a calming nature, alongside soaring vocals in the chorus. The verses have no ‘hurry’ to them, and every layer, both instrumentally and vocally, is so well thought out to convey a breadth of emotion. Still shocking to think this is from the same mind that brought us, Filthy Frank & Pink Guy.

U2 - With or Without You

 If you’ve heard the song, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. If we didn’t say it first, you would. 

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