CRISIX

Against The Odds

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Westeros-loving Spanish thrashers fill in the empty spaces

Back in 2016, Hammer commended the chops of this Spanish quintet’s third album, From Blue To Black, concluding that there was hope for album four. While there are still a few creases to be ironing out, Against All Odds does indeed up the quality, with the razor-sharp riffing of Leech Breeder and Perseverance still carving a deep entrenchment, while the vocal hooks are improved at worst and irresistible on the demented Exodus-worship of Xenomorph Blood. Prince Of Saiyans adds a melodic flourish and the wellmeaning Westeros-tribute The North Remembers is suitably opulent, but you’ll either be swept up by the spirit of the boisterous call to arms and hardcore breakdowns of Leave Your God Behind and Cut The Shit or crease up at its Fred Durst levels of juvenility. Though Crisix still need to perfect wielding their tools, they’re a lot sharper at least.

FOR FANS OF: EXODUS, TANKARD, BONDED BY BLOOD

ADAM REES