Krypteria
Bloodangel's Cry
8.1
Followers of the big names in the female-fronted metal cannon – Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, Within Temptation etc. – should listen up, as Krypteria have both the sound and the songs to rival the aforementioned acts. On this, their sophomore effort, this German/Korean outfit have strung together an impressive batch of melodic metal songs. Capped off with a slick and polished production job, Bloodangel’s Cry is a solid and thoroughly enjoyable listen from start to finish.
In terms of their sound, Krypteria bring together a variety of elements spanning a wide range of the metal spectrum. There’s goth, there’s rock and there’s back-up choirs in the mix along with the usual trappings of this genre (beautifully-layered female vocals, atmospheric keys, hook-filled choruses etc). Vocalist Ji-In Cho has an excellent voice, reminiscent of Lacuna Coil’s Christina Scabbia but sitting on the higher registers more often. Guitarist Chris is a real presence on Bloodangel’s Cry, with his lead work in particular a highlight. While Krypteria are very polished musically, their overall style isn’t as commercially-friendly as the likes of Within Temptation say, yet not as out-there as a band like Nightwish. The balance between the accessible and the challenging is one of the band’s real strengths.
As for the songs themselves, “Time To Bring The Pain” is an excellent example of the disc’s slower tracks, with its incorporation of piano and a chorus to die for. I hate to mention them in the same review but think Evanescence with superior, more sophisticated metal songwriting sensibilities and you’re almost there. “Scream” brings a welcome change of pace halfway through the album, introducing classic American hard rock elements in its verse before bursting into a powerfully up-tempo chorus with another killer vocal hook. “I Can’t Breathe” also rates particular mention as it features yet more groovy, heavily rocking guitars which add real bite to the song’s more traditional power metal framework. But honestly, to highlight a few of these tracks does a disservice to the others as there really isn’t a dud amongst them.
Personally speaking, an album like Bloodangel’s Cry makes for a nice change from all the death, grind and hardcore I usually abuse my ears with. That’s not to suggest this album is mere ear candy though, as there is enough grit and genuine substance to be found among the hooks, melodies and super-slick sound. Krypteria have really got their song craft sorted and are deserving of a place among the elite acts of contemporary melodic metal.
