It’s been five years since Northampton’s spine-crushing extreme metallers Krysthla blew the roof off with their third album Worldwide Negative and stormed the Bloodstock main stage with an opening set that still sounds brilliant today (Krysthla - BOA 2019 Full Set). However, things went a bit quiet for a while in the camp, not only due to the pandemic, and the departure of bassist Carl Davies and guitarist Noel Davies might have suggested a couple of cracks were appearing in the hull of the good ship. The good news is that is far from the truth, and shored up by the arrival of Tom Kelland and Jake Coles, Krysthla have just dropped their first single from their forthcoming fourth album The River. And it’s a beast.
There’s always been a hybrid sound to these guys, but at the base of their music is a level of groove that makes you want to bang your head. Unto the Loveless certainly pushes the band forward into the modern age, with a contemporary sound that retains the essential influences that have always been evident within the band. Unto the Loveless shaves not one iota of their heaviness, indeed in many respects the ante has been increased. The drumming is exceptional, the riffs intense, and the pacing spot on.
Clever crafting brings a piece of perfection toward the last third of the song, with a brief easing, before a savage reprise brings it home. And I can’t forget Ade Mayes’ bruising vocals here, for the man whose eclectic tastes are often hidden by his savage delivery is on fire. This is Krysthla 2024. It sounds mean, lean and the anticipation for The River has increased substantially.
The River is released later this year. Follow the band at https://www.facebook.com/krysthla for all the latest news.
Review by Hutch
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