The El Dorado Spell
Apollon, 2022
9/10
Norway’s finest, Kryptograf, return with another batch of their ‘60s indebted rock, where sturdy riffs, many vocalists and an old school flavor runs beneath the very diverse 10 tracks.
“Asphodel” starts the listen with thick guitars, intricate drumming and vivid storytelling in the retro tinted display, and “Cosmic Suicide” follows with a more firm approach that embraces vocal effects and hard rock moments that are both hard hitting and tuneful.
Halfway through, the warm acoustic guitar of “Across The Creek” balances intimacy and exploration in its brief instrumental climate, while the title track is a thumping, cosmic rocker that’s got plenty of prog-rock spirit to enjoy.
Further still, “When The Witches” is a soaring, fuzzed out rocker that’s got bits of soul and grooves, and “The Well” exits the listen with a vintage rock quality entering the doom nods and proto-metal moments.
The addition of trumpet and guest vocals really add much to the affair, as Kryptograf continue to prove why they should be required listening for fans of ‘60s and ‘70s rock that flirts with prog, too.
Travels well with: Bismarck- Oneiromancer; Kryptograf- Kryptograf