Kryptograf
Apollon, 2020
9/10
A quartet of music vets with an affinity for the sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Krytograf’s self-titled album comes with a very eclectic delivery, where metal, prog and hard rock collide with exciting, unpredictable results.
“The Veil’ starts the listen with spirited guitar work as a retro hard rock appeal enters the setting, and “Omen” follows with a more ominous approach where prog-rock and metal influences are present and appreciated.
Halfway through, “Crimson Horizon” recruits some spacey sounds before throbbing with a fuzzed out rock execution, while “Sleeper” offers a rhythmic and vintage display of proto-metal that sounds as good today as it did in the ‘70s. The best track resides near the end, as “New Colossus” bounces and thumps with psychedelic fuzz before “Infinite” exits the listen with 90 seconds of light, dreamy, ambient waves.
Though they’re fairly new to the Bergen, Norway metal scene, Krytograf are making quick work with their group effort vocals, monolithic riffage and unique attention to deal on this excellent first record.
Travels well with: Bismarck- Oneiromancer; Dead Meadow- The Nothing They Need