Description
Original 2012 press on black vinyl with gatefold cover and 4-page insert. Limited 400 copies
As was the case with their 2002 debut, the bare-bones (pun intended) cover artwork of Krux’s second album, 2006’s unimaginatively titled Krux II, pretty much says it all about the Swedish quintet’s core ethos: keep it honest, keep it raw, keep it doom. Indeed, the Swedish super-side-project (featuring Candlemass leader Leif Edling, plus Mats Levén – vocals (Therion), Jorgen Sandstrom – guitar (Vicious Art), Fredrik Akesson – guitar (Arch Enemy), Peter Stjarnvind – drums (Entombed) and Carl Westholm – keyboard (Carp Tree), continues to pursue an intentionally uncluttered, almost under-produced aesthetic on this sophomore album; yet, upon closer scrutiny, rollicking, riff-tastic tracks like “Serpent,” “Sea of Doom” and “Lex Lucifero” lack nothing in terms of instrumental execution, nor arranging sophistication. The recent addition of second guitarist Akesson alongside first album stalwart Sandstro already creates twice as many six-string alternatives for the band to explore (err, obviously), but it’s probably their frequent and judicious use of organs and synthesizers (provided by another Candlemass alum, Carl Westholm) that sets Krux apart from most any other doom-focused outfit. For example: hear them build towards an organ-fuelled crescendo on the leaden delight “Devil Sun,” raise an imposing wall of sound for infectious numbers, “Too Close to Evil” and “The Big Empty,” and combine both ancient and futuristic-sounding keyboards (the latter reminiscent of Black Sabbath’s “E5150”) into “Pirates” and the album’s formidable centrepiece “Depressive Strokes of Indigo.” The latter pair, in particular, also showcases the group’s deft touch when shifting between disparate time signatures for maximum dynamic effectiveness, thus rendering the “Indigo” chorus into one of the year’s catchiest — in all the kingdoms of heavy metal, not just doom. In short, it takes just a few listens for Krux II to take shape as another stunning release from this so-called side-project; a release that is likely to leave many a Candlemass fan wondering whether Edling shouldn’t focus the bulk of his energies on Krux.
Track list:
1. Devil Sun
2. Serpent
3. Sea Of Doom
4. Lex Lucifero
5. Pirates Of The Black Hand
6. Depressive Strokes Of Indigo
7. Too Close To Evil
8. The Big Empty