| CD REVIEW Krossbreed |
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Band : Krossbreed Yo...Michel Vermoens' Krossbreed is down to its 4th release. Having come across each one thanks to this website (review of 2004's debut demo Down To the Core was posted 08/09/2005, that of the sophomore Enjoy The Rage on 06/12/2006, and the most recent one, early 2008's Carved in Stone, on 25/03/2008), I have to say I'm glad this one's a full-length, as I've always kinda felt somewhat short-changed...oh wait, I cannot say things like that, because we got the demo for free, didn't we, so let me rephrase the latter...I've always felt somewhat left on my hunger for more (that's better, ain't it?)! People already familiar with this Antwerp based Death Core Rage Thrashers will be glad to find out that business is very much as usual, stylistically! News on new tracks in the making (“Born In This World” and “26 Scars”) already arrived as early as May 2008, more soon following...in between the band's appearances at several concerts and small festivals, both in and out of Belgium (The Netherlands is really very close to Antwerp, isn't it?). In February 2009, news came that Krossbreed had replaced its former lead guitarist with one Stefan Stommels. By the way, I am now in the possibility to give you the other members' full names, so here goes: lead singer/ rhythm guitarist Michel Vermoens, bassist/ backing singer Stef Williame, and drummer Tom Verwimp. During Summer 2009, bandleader Michel was “out” for 10 weeks, participating in a new series of television “reality show” The Block, time during which the band itself was not idle. No, theydidn't exactly rip the club circuit apart (would be difficult without their frontman), but in stead they díd rehearse like mad, gathering new song ideas along the way. Pre-production on the album started in February, in between gigs, and in June Michel (whom took on the role as recording engineer and producer this time around) started mixing the material. On hearing the new stuff I have to say, the addition of shredder Stefan was a wise one! Whereas in the past one could expect the band to take back a bit on the adrenalin for a short breather, even for a calmer song, each and every of the 11 tracks on the new albums tears through the amps with a combination of aggression and melody from start to finish...nevertheless allowing for some “atmospheric” openings an/or short passages, you know (I mean, when I first heard the wacky solo passage of “Masquarade Of Giants”, I kinda doubted my sanity, went, “Uh, what gives!?” Luckily the aggro factor was swiftly raised to its normal level soon enough). This time around Michel also did not make the mistake of performing any calmer vocals (they don't go too well with him, as I mentioned in the review of the last demo). There's still some vocal samples (about child abuse) in the opening passage of “As The Light Fades”, and little Eerin Vermoens was invited to say a short sentence in the opening of “Masquerade Of Giants” (originally I even though the kid simply said the title of the song...in hindsight I was wrong – I still haven't been able to make out what exactly IS being said though). To celebrate their new material, the band completely overhauled myspace.com/krossbreed, posting no less than 6 songs (one of which they also made a video for) off the album! And with good reason I should say, because the boys can be really proud of their new stuff! Yeah, the new guitarist definitely raises the quality level, and he's the main reason for me rating this debut full-length of the band with a nice 91/100 Tony. |
