KRAKOW

Minus KARISMA Intriguing explorations from Bergen’s atmospheric metallers

Norwegians Krakow’s initially straightforward approach rapidly proves beguiling as you delve deeper into Minus – the product of two albums’ worth of material distilled into one. The result is as considered as you might expect given it’s only their fourth LP in 13 years. Black Wandering Sun makes for a rocking intro, in no small part thanks to Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell’s guest solo, cutting through stampeding riffs as atonally harmonised vocals ascend.

The deeper you go, the more nuanced the record becomes, the eerie electro-buzz of The Stranger twisting and turning through chilling reverb, immolated in the glowering furnace of persistently concussive guitars that is From Fire, From Stone. Culminating in the esoterically meditative explorations of Tidlaus, which develops into something primal and rousingly anthemic, Minus resonates with the wisdom and power of the ancients – an emotionally and intellectually nourishing experience. FOR FANS OF: AUDREY HORNE, ULVER, CULT OF LUNA