Label: Purity Through Fire
Origin: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From a palette of verdant tropical forests and honey sun-soaked beaches, a defiant black stroke of icy hatred defaces The Kryptik‘s canvas. Behold Fortress Inferno is an unrivaled tribute to mysticism and melody: while burnished orchestral elements color the backdrop of the record, raw pigments of aggression take center frame. This is a masterpiece of symphonic black metal that hangs higher than most other compositions in the Museum of Hell.
True to form, the opening moments of Behold Fortress Inferno present an environment ringing with sinister magnificence. Unholy bells toll symbolic warnings to the creatures of the night, while an unmanned church organ ushers the haphazard wanderer into the fortress of evil. Pummeling bass slathers across the soundscape and blistering drums and guitars overlay the backing symphony before the paint can dry. Threatening vocals from lead shrieker, Sinner, spill from the explosive atmosphere and seethe with anger. The lyrics, stratified with taut musicianship, drive a masterful eight-minute opening title track that confidently depicts the sound The Kryptik embodies.
Where the opener rolls along sans pace variation, other areas of the record call tempo audibles and run with them. “Paths From Eternity” storms forward with much of the same aggression and speed from earlier, but hits the reset button midway through. The devastating hurricane of percussion weakens to a category one, and gentle winds of melody waft a piercing silver solo through the eye of the storm. “Black Legions March” controls a similar contrast in cadence. A cacophony of war dominated by scraping steel dictates the opening moments, before grotesque grunts ravage full-tilt across the battlefield. Before given the chance to settle, a lone riff shreds bodies across the terrain, and a vengeful, blood-soaked growl reigns triumphantly.
The Plagues of the Abyss https://thekryptik.bandcamp.com/album/behold-fortress-inferno
Standout track “The Plagues of the Abyss” epitomizes The Kryptik‘s proficiency and dedication to their art. The peal of a bell returns to open the track, adorned with howlin’ wolves prophesying impending doom. An ungodly growl kickstarts the track with wicked intention, and heavily distorted riffs mounted on grandiose synths gallop through eight minutes of black metal bliss. Near the end of the track, an angelic chorus tempers the madness before stringed fire ignites the final moments in diabolical glory, with Satan laughing and spreading his porcine wings.
Behold Fortress Inferno mixes shades of black metal’s progenitors on their palette without printing facsimiles. Hammering blast-beating and booming bass encouraged by symphonic chorals wink and nod to most of Emperor‘s work, as well as much of early Dimmu Borgir. Some elements of vocal style recall moods of Satyricon, melodic riffs laden with acrylic power chords contain trace elements of Watain, and there’s even an acoustic track with copious notes from The Somberlain. However, the final track of Behold Fortress Inferno reveals one of the true influences of The Kryptik, and indeed almost every black metal band in existence today: Mayhem. This blistering, astonishingly evil take on “Funeral Fog” is true to form yet distinguished by ornate orchestral influences that carry the listener through the somber, god-forsaken procession.
The Kryptik have painted a symphonic, angry mural of black metal grandeur. Behold Fortress Inferno is a captivating portrait of misanthropic madness and orchestral elegance, refashioning legends of old with an original, modern coat. These Brazilians may create in a tropical climate, but Behold Fortress Inferno portrays a ravenous taiga of death.
FFO: Emperor, Dimmu Borgir (early), Satyricon, Watain, Gorgoroth