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Kryptograf: The Eldorado Spell

The Eldorado Spell is the latest album from Norway's proto-metal/psych/doom act Kryptograf, and follows their self-titled Apollon Records debut from 2020. Taking possible influences such as Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Steppenwolf, Wishbone Ash, and even a little Atomic Rooster and Deep Purple, these guys blend occult-themed lyrical imagery with hard-hitting, doom-laden riffs, bluesy vocals, and plenty of experimentation. "Asphodel" kicks things off in fine fashion, sounding like it came from a 1969 time capsule, with Iommi-styled riffs and reverb-drenched vocals leading the charge, and it's followed up by the rampaging bruiser "Cosmic Suicide", where pounding drums, crushing riffs, wailing guitar solos, and gut-wrenching vocals just grab the listener by the throat and refuse to let go. "Lucifer's Hand" is a slower, doom-styled song, a must-hear for any fan of early Sabbath as well as Pentagram, and the faster-paced "Creeping Willow" is a riff-fest complete with killer drumming that adds to the headbanging excitement. After some wonderful acoustic guitar on "Across the Creek", the band lurches back with the psych/proto-metal gem that is the title track. "The Spiral" is drenched in fuzz (never a bad thing!) and the spooky "When the Witches" is a massive doom feast for all lovers of the evil, almighty riff. Toss in the creepy, psychedelic "Wormwood" and the ominous yet hard-hitting closer "The Well" and you have a mighty album from these Norwegians that will make any lover of classic heavy, psychedelic music very, very happy. More please!!


Track Listing
1) Asphodel
2) Cosmic Suicide
3) Lucifer's Hand
4) Creeping Willow
5) Across the Creek
6) The Eldorado Spell
7) The Spiral
8) When the Witches
9) Wormwood
10) The Well

Added: July 30th 2024
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 779
Language: english

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Kryptograf: The Eldorado Spell
Posted by Jon Neudorf, SoT Staff Writer on 2024-07-30 22:08:22
My Score:

It would seem I am late to the party with this one, but I digress. Retro heavy rockers Kryptograf released their self-titled debut in 2020. They followed that with their 2022 release The Eldorado Spell. I thought their first album was an excellent foray into heavy psych and doom and now we have their sophomore effort to dig into. Folks, this is an outstanding sophomore effort and may even be better than the debut.

“Asphodel”, the album’s first track, is a real stunner. Choppy riffs pay homage to classic ‘70s rock ala Led Zeppelin and there is a dominant psychedelic feel at work here. The band plays with conviction and feeling, so you just know this music is in their blood. Eventually the band diverts into a folky psych sound with outstanding harmonizing vocals. A pounding heavy assault of distorted guitar and an extremely catchy chorus marks “Cosmic Suicide” as one of the heaviest tracks. Passionate vocals, doomy riffs, and a scorching guitar solo will worm their way into your brain. The doomy Black Sabbath inspired “Lucifer’s Hand” and the cosmic trip that is “Creeping Willow” with its riffing moving across lower and higher registers and explosive lead guitar are a couple more great tracks.

The band lets its foot off the gas with the lovely acoustic guitar led “Across The Creek” and on the title track we have that mysterious psychedelic occult sound the band do so well.

With ten outstanding tracks, Kryptograf have a killer album with The Eldorado Spell. Easily recommended!

An Apollo Records’ release.

Band members:
Odd Erlend Mikkelsen (guitars and vocals)
Vegard Bachmann Strand (guitars, vocals, keys)
Eirik Torgersen Arntsen (drums, vocals, percussion)
Eivind Andreas Standal Moen (bass and acoustic guitar)
Special guests:
Ørjan Hammer Vollvik (trumpet)
Kristian Eivind Espeland (vocals)
Iver Sandøy (additional keys and percussion)



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