(Ektro Records EKTRO-042)
Krypt Axeripper: Mechanical Witch EP
(Ektro Records EKTRO-042)
From Aural Innovations #36 (May 2007)
Oh wow, now Ektro has begun to release some genuine heavy metal. Yeah, there has been a re-release of the Jesters of Destiny classic Fun at the Funeral and there have been some rather heavy stuff on a few Circle albums, but Krypt Axeripper’s just under eleven minutes long CD EP including four tracks is true 80’s styled heavy metal. I can’t think of any specific influences right away, maybe I should ask from some expert on this genre or check out my own collections. All the music is played by mystical characters Krypt (vocals, guitars, bass, synths) and Rattfinder (drums), and the booklet lets us believe that the album includes at least one 7” that according to the picture was released in 1983 on Full Contact Records…
The EP starts with “Sacrifice the Sea” that is very good, mid-tempo 80’s epic metal! The drums are a bit weird for this kind of music, I can’t deny that. The vocals on this one are melodic, and in addition to the solid, heavy riffing the track has a bit of lead guitar. The lyrics are very corny as they should be with this kind of music… The bit faster “Battle of the Axehammer” is a real riff machine, great stuff! ”High Speed Thunder Forever Gone” that has a rather high-pitched vocals, guitar soloing and even a distinctive chorus is also excellent, true heavy metal. Also the last and longest (3:20) track on the album entitled “Possessed (By Trees)” is similar stuff. This one has some really nice guitar and a bit gloomier ending. It would have been nice to hear some more material like this, but this amount already gets your hair flying. Worth checking out, if you have a soft spot for 80’s metal.
For more information you can visit the Ektro Records web site at http://www.ektrorecords.com
Reviewed by Santtu Laakso