Krampus' second release this year, Kronos' Heritage is a three track EP which stylistically falls in the same category as their other 2011-release, Shadows of our Time, and thus, it should appeal to fans of both melodic death metal and folk metal.
The three tracks are basically melodeath tracks, and - while not embracing the ever so popular Gothenburg sound - they do display many of the features that define modern melodic death metal, such as harsh vocals (metalcore screams combined with growls and clean vocals in some of the chroruses), uptempo beats, guitar harmonies and melodies and the use of keyboards as well as the occasional blastbeat. But to the base melodeath sound is added a considerable dose of Celtic folk music, but in terms of instrumentation and melody as well as the underlying drive of some passages.
The three tunes are relatively aggressive and full of energy, I would say, and the combination of melodeath and Celtic folk music works brilliantly on this particular release, which the guys in Krampus can certainly be very proud of.
I still have not got completely used to the vocals, but the harsh singing fits these three tunes very well, probably because of their speed and aggressiveness, and - as a whole - this EP is very consistient and very well done.
Track Listing:
1. Kronos' Heritage
2. Aftermath
3. My Siege