ALBUM REVIEW: Worldwide Negative – Krysthla

The groove metal wrecking crew known as KRYSTHLA have picked up a lot traction in a very little time. Since their inception in Northamptonshire in 2016 the band have set about creating a name for themselves. The following year, KRYSTHLA released their debut album Peace In Our Time to critical acclaim, seeing them charting alongside monoliths of the metal world such as MASTODON and WHILE SHE SLEEPS as well as earning them a main stage slot at this years Bloodstock Open Air Festival. Guitarists Neil Hudson and Noel Davis, drummer Liam Turland, bassist Carl Davis and front man Adi Mayes have now lined up their follow up album Worldwide Negative and will be looking to pick up exactly where they left off, taking their music to the next level.

The opening track of the aforementioned sophomore effort Negative sets the tone from the very outset with its direct approach of pulverising drums, high paced work from the stringed instruments and powerful vocals. KRYSTHLA have taken influences from some of the forefathers of metalcore such as UNEARTH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and ALL THAT REMAINS, and have put their own twist on them to create a fresh take on a tried and true formula. The lead guitar work from Hudson and Davis shifts seamlessly between the melodic and punishingly heavy and compliments the passionate vocal delivery from Mayes with the bass guitar from the other Davis wandering around the fretboard in a similar way to the legendary LAMB OF GOD four-stringer John Campbell.

The second track Reawaken further affirms the band’s key ear for melody which is displayed in the opening guitar section before the pace shifts and the band introduce the audience to a bouncing groove metal riff that is as infectiously catchy as it is aggressive. The rhythmic patterns laid down throughout are technically impressive and well thought out and the chorus has a hook that is big enough to land you a blue whale.

KRYSTHLA toe the line perfectly between melodic, catchy music and all out battery. The main weapon that the band have in their arsenal when they decide to step up the ferocity is Turland, who generates the main source of the band’s power from behind the kit and dictates the flow of the tracks wonderfully. A prime example of this is in the more than six and a half minute opus White Castles as KRYSTHLA expertly steer their way through a number of different sections of the song without them ever feeling disjointed.

Album closer The Gift begins with yet more pummelling drum work and tremolo riffs that wouldn’t be out of place on a traditional black metal track. When the onslaught breaks, the refrain is superb and the lead guitar runs that ebb and flow with the vocals provide the perfect contrast to the rest of the harsh metal soundscape. The mid section of the song boasts one of the finest passages for the two guitarists as they lay down a superb harmonised part they takes you back to the days when bands like GOD FORBID and SHADOWS FALL were on top of the metal world before throwing you straight back into the brutality.

All in, Worldwide Negative is a tremendous success and shows just how much the band’s material has matured in the short space of time between albums. KRYSTHLA have taken the foundations that were laid down on their debut and have built their sound on it wonderfully. If this album is anything to go by then it won’t belong until you hear a lot more out of these lads.

Rating: 8/10

Worldwide Negative is out now via Plastic Head Distribution.

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