Norway’s four-piece Kryptograf return with their second album, The Eldorado Spell, after their scorching self-titled debut from two years ago. Chalk this band up to another new favorite Rini band. Kryptograf play a heavy doom with psychedelic moments. I’d say throw classic Sabbath in a blender and mix in Trouble, Khemmis as well as the mighty, now defunct, Kyuss.

10 songs in 45 minutes “Asphodel” starts the album. The song title means flowering plants belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. Or that’s at least what the net says. Regardless; the opening of this track has a monstrous Kyuss vibe. Listen to that main riff. The vocal patterns, tones and riff is so catchy as the slow doomy sludge chorus will make you head bang uncontrollably. The lyrics are in English and I cannot detect nary a Norwegian accent. Sounds American. Halfway into the song the rhythm section with the catchy bass, acoustic and hopping pattern will take you back to the ‘60’s and it’s pretty darn amazing.

“Lucifer’s Hand” has a very fuzzy and heavy start to the song. Stop and start guitar riffs are enthralling as shouting vocals take center stage for the chorus parts and then back to the main part. Many of the band members contribute with the vocal tones and there’s never a monotonous moment. The 2.53 part is stoopid heavy with what appears to have maybe some keys in the background simulating an organ and until the end of the song one of the best and heaviest parts on the album. The title track has elements of Ian Blurton’s Future Now. The buildup is atmospheric until the 1 minute super heavy jumpy stoner Trouble moment erupts. This main riff accompanied with a variety of drum rolls makes this an outstanding catchy song. This is a fun song that gets into slower, dirgy and fuzzy moments. Title tracks should always be standout tracks on an album and this is no exception.

“The Spiral” will rewind back the decades again taking you to the 70’s prog rock early metal moments and at the 3 minute mark if you’re not doing circle pits with your bell bottoms on than you’d better grow those sideburns and start slamming a few seconds later as this hopping metal/ prog rock/ doomy jumpiness is enough to get you to say “Dammit I need to see that Milton Bradley Battleship commercial once again”. The chorus and fuzzy melodies will get stuck in your head for days on end. “When the Witches” has one of the best riffs and catchiest moments in all of metal for 2022. I cannot get enough of this song-it’s terrific.

“The Well” ends the album with a slow buildup in the rhythm section until the drum solo at the half minute mark leads us into the hopping 70’s vibe once again and yes that’s a goddamn tambourine being played to further implant you in your parents paneled, wallpapered mid century modern house. That main guitar riff is a killer and is bleeding Sabbath all over and around it.

Kryptograf’s The Eldorado Spell is phenomenal and while I’m unsure if it’s better than their excellent debut it’s definitely on par with it. The production brings out the fuzziness without sacrificing the sounds of the riffs or making it a basket full album of mud. This is heavy, sludgy music that is also incredibly uplifting due to combining elements of the 60’s through the 80’s. The album cover perfectly crafts a feel of being in a hookah lounge as you’re kicking back some bourbon with some friends on a Saturday night while the rest of the patrons are playing Twister.

Kryptograf came out of nowhere, knocked me on my butt and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this is a top 5 for me for 2022 releases. This is phenomenal!!

[Visit the band's website]

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