Krashkharma - Straight To The Blood

Artist: Krashkharma
Title: Straight To The Blood
Genre: Alternative Metal
Release Date: 8th October 2010
Label: Fastball (Sony Music)



Album Review

KRASHKHARMA is a unique alternative metal band from Germany/USA that is gearing up for the release of their debut full length, ‘Straight To The Blood’. It’s a varied album that sounds like alternative metal, punk, and rock. What makes them unique however is they break the stereotypical line up by placing the one woman in a group of guys not on bass or vocals alone, but on the drums instead. This is a huge dynamic that is steadily changing in the face of metal. Usually drumming is thought to be a “guy thing” because it requires a lot of arm power. However, drummer Niki gives any guy a drummer a run for their money with her skills behind the kit. Aside from bashing things, she also lends her vocal abilities right alongside male vocalist, Ralf, and offers a great contrast. Both their raw, emotional vocals suit the power and melodies from the guitars by Zac and bass from Said. Together, they make the full length debut sound like an energetic masterpiece that is varied instead of trying to recreate the success of a single throughout the tracks.

There’s the aggressive furies of ‘Last Wish’ and ‘No Regrets’ which feature chugging rhythms and throaty vocals. If grunge ever decided to go metal, then this is how it would sound. The music will beat the hell out of the listener, but the vocals keep the melodies in check. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. Both vocalists can sound a bit throaty at times, but it isn’t unbearable like trying to listen to someone sing for the first time without training. Niki’s best vocal style is shown on her sole vocal dominant track, ‘Take The Money’. Why she wasn’t given more tracks as the lead vocalist, one will never know. However, her voice is definitely a punk driven one, and even has some electronic tinges such as on ‘No Regrets’ which further rounds out KRASHKHARMA’s influences. She’s definitely got style. On the other hand, Ralf tends to lean towards the hard rock tone with a bit of punk. His screams are a bit hard to bear, but his rapid singing vocals really hit the spot as he brings attitude with every line that commands attention. Mix it up with the instruments, and it really becomes enjoyable to listen to. The duet really gives their best on ‘Favorite Things’ where they share the vocal duties evenly. When overlapping, Ralf’s vocals tend to overtake everything since he’s in the forefront.

KRASHKHARMA isn’t all about aggression, though. ‘Tears Of Gasoline’ is a depressive rock anthem that isn’t as high energy as the other tracks, but still carries a lot of power, especially with the chanting at the end. ‘Anytime’ is almost entirely instrumental. The instruments almost sound ethereal with how slowly they are performed with ominous melodies. The vocals, when they appear every once in a while, are hushed, rather than loud and urgent. Overall, there’s an excellent sense of foreboding that commands even more listening than any aggressive track that KRASHKHARMA has performed yet. ‘The Void’ is more atmospheric with the buzzing, intermittent strums of the guitars and lack of guitar. Instead, the guitars seem to take the place of the guitars, with one acting as the lead and the other placing its beats in more of a drum pattern. The vocals are layered nicely here- for once- and altogether create a unique harmony that is both intriguing and at the same time depressing, which eventually picks up near the end with the guitar solos. It isn’t the most exciting song, lyrically, because the same verses are repeated, but what makes the song magical is its song structure.

While some fans may complain that they are too “nu-metal” it is safe to say that the band borderlines punk and alternative metal more than anything else. The mix of metal and rock with electronic influences scattered about really give the music its dynamics that set it apart from the usual young band starting out. Fans of groups like SICK PUPPIES, FLYLEAF, SCARS OF LIFE, and THE LETTER BLACK will probably find this most enjoyable. Hopefully KRASHKHARMA will continue to grow while furthering their musical abilities to keep making dynamic albums that are not only enticing in style, but also meaning. And they better not replace the drummer, because that’s a statement enough alone!


Tracklist

01. Last Wish (4:12)
02. 9 Lives (1, 2, Die) (3:32)
03. Take The Money (3:43)
04. Inside (3:57)
05. Tears Of Gasoline (4:02)
06. No Regrets (4:09)
07. Anytime (3:31)
08. Hole In My Soul (3:23)
09. Comeback (2:50)
10. Favorite Things (3:09)
11. The Void (4:03)


Line-up

Ralf - vocals, guitar
Niki - vocals, drums
Said - bass
Zac - guitar


Website

http://suicideholiday.com/


Cover Picture




Rating

Sound: 8
Music: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10


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