Phrenesis

Although the fifth album from black metallers Krater, "Phrenesis", is by no means experimental, it presents quite original music, as if classic black metal moves were deliberately performed in an unusual and bizarre manner. And this despite the fact that Krater don't overuse atonal or dissonant riffs at all, exactly the same as on their previous album "Venenare". Most likely, the number of dissonances has even decreased.

While there is more melodiousness on the new work, it is built on tremolo-picked riffs mainly, perhaps that is why the album is memorable not for its catchy tunes, but for its strange attitude. "Phrenesis" has a pretty good production, one might even say clean, at least the album is devoid of underground "rawness". This makes it somewhat difficult to grasp the strange innovation in Krater's music, namely passages in a German style of black metal, we mean a tough groove with a strained (almost commanding) voice, for example pay attention to 'Splitter'.

In its turn the sixth song 'Once - Into the Endless Void' begins with a syncopated drum rhythm, that is, in a punkish manner - really shocking, since the band hasn't used such tricks in the past. And in general, this song, with its texture and singing in a clean voice, does not fit in with the others, as if it is a cover of someone's song. The last piece, 'Phrenesis', is a bit drawn-out, but it is an extremely successful composition to end this rather unusual album.

Metalegion # 15