*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*
This month’s State is Idaho
Man! Yet another killer band from Boise! I have been very impressed with the outright talent found in and around the capital city of Idaho and had zero difficulties finding interesting SOTA artists to cover this month. One more Metal scene that appears to be alive and flourishing. This week let me introduce you with Krystos!
Krystos began their musical journey back in 2010 with lead guitarist/singer Billy Thronock and guitarist Dan Johnson. Having talent, a clear focus and direction, they independently released Walk Through the Inferno quickly after inception and began playing local shows in support of the album. Along with newly added drummer Adam Brimhall and bass player Andrew Sperry, Krystos hit the road and began touring in 2011 where they continuously sold out all of their CD’s. At the end of 2012, “Blood Magick” was released to wide airplay and acclaim that allowed for their first, live video for the title track to be recorded. Never settling for “good enough”, Krystos struck out in March of 2013 on their most ambitious tour yet. “The Spread the Blood Tour” proved to be hugely successful by broadening their rabid fan base, playing with the likes of Soulfly, Havok, Immolation, Marduk, among many others and again selling out their supply of both CD’s. In the interim, Adam was replaced on bass/backing vocals by Anjru Kalibyr, who remains in the band to this day. Once home, Krystos began plans for the next tour and preparing to reenter the studio for what would eventually become their EP called “Lolth Domain”. From a recent press release on their sites: “We are happy to inform you that our next EP called “Lolth Domain” will be released worldwide in February, 2017. With artwork done by Germany’s most brilliant artist, Uwe Jarling, and top notch mixing and mastering service, this will be our most punishing release to date. Follow us for cd release show dates, song previews, video previews and more!”. Take the next few weeks to better acquaint yourselves with Krystos first two CD’s, available on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Rhapsody and other outlets before the new one drops!
With influences coming from Thrash and European Power Metal bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Slayer, Iced Earth, Epica, Kamelot, Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, Rhapsody and Symphony X, you immediately get the feel of what Krystos are all about: old school Thrash velocity, fittingly dramatic, clean/semi-clean vocals and crushing guitar riffs with a hefty dose of Power Metal’s melodic vibe for an unusually balanced sound without watering down their overall heavy tone. Technically, these guys are off the scale in terms playing and in songwriting that has even earned them an endorsement from Bubien guitars. Tricky and clever changes, ever present, finger-blistering runs and astounding guitar solos over intensely dark (never overly ominous, however) rhythms that often move as fast or even faster than the lead guitar(s) are just a few of the things that define the Krystos sound. There is just tons to listen to here; being massively kinetic throughout. While they are most often compared to Testament and Iced Earth, I will move away a bit from that and state that the guitars are sharper and are driven much harder than either of these bands. The bass lines are also generally much faster than “the norm” and add a level of harmony not often found when lightening is harnessed in the bottle like they’ve so adeptly accomplished. Even with the refined quality of the recording, Krystos also has a visceral, raw undertone that is reminiscent of Thrash from the mid-80s, although this would have been considered wizardry back in the day. A technical impossibility outside the Neo–Classical gates of the castle still owned by gods like Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Chris Impellitteri, Yngwie Malsteen, Uli Jon Roth, Ritchie Blackmore and the like. While Krystos never make the leap into this type of music, the music is equally impressive. To boot, the band is said to be extremely hard working with the best of work ethic. They did not get where they are at by happenstance. A unique blend of killer Metal, killer shows and a passionate disposition have seen them fly very high, very quickly. With impending release of Lolth Domain, Krythos my soon become a household name and bothering our not-so-Metal neighbors all over the country…
Lolth Domain (February, 2017):
“Mensoberranzan”
“Lolth Domain”
“Memory of Light”
“Sammael”
“Terror King”
Blood Magick (2013):
“Blood Magick”
“Betrayal”
“Crimson River”
“Falsifier”
Walk Through the Inferno (2010):
“Infernal Stride”
“Limbo”
“Locust Scourge”
“Spirit Agony”
“Paradise Down”
“Sails of Acheron”
“Crimson River”
“A Passage”
“Woods of Suicide”
“Necromancer”
“Falsifier”
More info on Krystos can be found on The Web Facebook Twitter YouTube Soundcloud ReverbNation
