Grinding Riffs/Bushy Beards – Krokodil’s ‘Nachash’ LP in Review

I have a bit of a mission statement at moment. That mission statement is to get as many of the bands I have ranted about in the last year, on to Musically Fresh, so you can hear about them as quick as possible. Having heard that Krokodil have released their eagerly awaited EP, Nachash, I saw my opportunity to take them on.

Krokodil tick my boxes in many ways. Other than ticking the box of having a name that relates to a drug that makes your skin fall off, (shudders), the tick box that brought them to my attention first, was simply the members of the band. Krokodil are a super group of sorts, featuring members of Sikth, Cry For Silence, Gallows and Hexes; not to mention the fact they have guest vocals from Biffy Clyro‘s Simon Neil on Nachash‘ track ‘Sun Riders’. Awesome, right?

It is also pretty well documented that there is a healthy relationship between the band and Metal juggernauts, Mastodon, with the band having just engaged as support slot on Mastodon’s ‘Once More Round The Sun’ tour. Krokodil are clearly a nifty band on paper. But as I am sure you can expect this isn’t enough for us here at Musically Fresh. And that’s what ticks my next box.

The music is just brutal. It’s got Mastodon-esque scope and Metal (coincidence?…) with that Hardcore/Metalcore feel that is just what I’ve been looking for. It’s a perfect combo. More than anything it gives me that twinge of fear that is hard to come by nowadays in Metal.

In a scene dominated by skinny jeans, lightly djent riffs and stories of “broken hearts”, the shock factor is diminishing. It’s not for no reason Rolling Stone have included Nachash in the 20 greatest Metal albums of 2014. I checked them out at Sonisphere earlier this year before heading off to another tent to see my beloved Gallows, and it was pretty clear they were there to destroy. But anyhow, let’s deconstruct some of the best bits off of Nachash. There’s more than flints of gold to be had here.

Shatter:

Album opener. This is Krokodil’s sound condensed, and by god does it get the message across. The opening grinding riff brings the thunder, then the drums and vocals evoke the lightning with a shattering crash. Expect involuntary body convulsing during the verses in this track; they’ve got grungy groove the likes of which you wouldn’t believe. The choruses keep up the heaviness, all whilst departing to a loftier, more melancholic soundscape through atmospheric guitar work and heartfelt (yet shouty) vocals. This atmosphere is enhanced in the hefty breakdown (of sorts) at the end of the track. ‘Shatter’ is by far one of the more stand-out tracks.

Skin Of The Earth:

This track keeps to the formula of ‘Shatter’ with a brutal verse riff that hooks. It’s the post chorus sections that really grabs me with this track. However, it is supplemented with a bright and twangly acoustic guitar that overdubs the main bulk of Metal, accompanied with some melodic vocals that add to the intense yet ethereal vibe. It’s a bit reminiscent of parts of Parkway Drive’s Atlas. If you like that kind of thing, then you will love this.

Sleep Well Medusa:

Do you remember how your hair used to rise at hearing the opening riff to ‘Just Because You Sleep Next To Me, Doesn’t Mean Your Safe’ from Orchestra Wolves by Gallows? That’s the level of fury that opens this track.  There is room here in this track for some groovy little bass solo sections which is always welcome. There are more atmospheric sonics. This track has a punch in the throat and it knows it.

Ragnarok:

Here the album takes an acoustic break but keeps its foot on the atmospheric throttle – as the track name sake suggests – with Ragnarok. Ragnarok of course being the apocalyptic battle in Norse mythology, featuring the gods, Odin and Thor, amongst others. Heavy duty stuff. As such the song brings a brooding Skyrim-esque feel that holds your attention whilst stroking your inner feel. A must listen.

Sun Riders:

I couldn’t avoid talking about this one. It’s got Simon fuckin’ Neil on it. You could argue in comparison to other parts of the album this song is majoritavely Metal by numbers with all the grind in the particular places, but Simon’s voice really cuts with the groove come the choruses. Give it a go, you know you want to.

Well that’s it from me right this second.

Keep up with the mighty Krokodil and their beards on Facebook. And, if they have tickled your fancy, purchase and listen to their riffs on their SoundCloud profile, Amazon (CD/Vinyl/MP3) and iTunes.

Just remember to…

#StayFresh