Monday 14 September 2015

Krallice - 'Ygg Huur' (Album Review)


By: Chris Bull


Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 30/07/2015
Label: Independent |
Gilead Media | Avantegarde Music



All the songs here rarely retread the same path, instead, it twists and turns like an alligator with a deer in it's jaws, disorienting and crushing.  Indeed, whether Krallice have invented a new genre or not, what they've created here is a bookmark in the progression of black metal.

‘Ygg Huur’ CD//DD track listing:

1) Idols
2) Wastes of Ocean
3) Over Spirit
4) Tyranny of Thought
5) Bitter Meditation
6) Engram


Krallice is

Nicholas McMaster | Bass, vocals
Lev Weinstein | Drums
Colin Marston | Guitar
Mick Barr | Guitar, vocals

The Review

Have Krallice invented a new genre on 5th album 'Ygg Huur'? Is technical black metal a thing? Progressive black metal? How about blackened technical death metal? Whatever it is, 'Ygg Huur' is a little left field but my word, it's fucking good!

Opener 'Idols' is a truly majestic beast, almost disrhythmic, the melodies move in differing directions, like cogs in a wheel, all working towards the same goal; to fucking shred! All the songs here rarely retread the same path, instead, it twists and turns like an alligator with a deer in it's jaws, disorienting and crushing. Standout tracks 'Wastes Of Ocean' with it's arpeggiated guitar licks and 'Tyranny Of Thought' with it's crushing intro, sound like a cross between Cynic and early Emperor while avoiding pigeonholing. The last song 'Engram' sees them cram more musical ideas into its five and a half minutes than most bands do in entire albums (or careers).

This is a difficult album to get your head around but once you do, you'll truly reap the rewards. Whether they've invented a new genre or not, what they've created here is a bookmark in the progression of black metal.

‘Ygg Huur’ is available here

Band info: bandcamp| facebook