KRYPTOS

KRYPTOS –  “Decimator”

By Colonel Angus

I was introduced to these Bangalore metal merchants through a review I did back in 2021.  Their last opus “Force of Danger” was a great mix of ACCEPT meets JUDAS PRIEST but their new record continues the sound with some additional IRON MAIDEN touches thrown in.  I have to admit that I like consistency and KRYPTOS is still the same four members that produced the last release.  Nolan Lewis is still helming the rhythm guitars and vocals and he sounds just as powerful as he did on “Force of Danger”.  The guitar work on “Decimator” consists of classic sounding riffs and soaring solos and Rohit Chaturvedi (along with Lewis) make the perfect guitar duo for this type of traditional metal.  Ganesh K and Vijit Singh are both back to lay down a solid rhythm section for all the other pieces to build upon. 

Musically, we get a continuation of what preceded “Decimator” but with a couple of new touches thrown in.  “In the Shadow of the Blade” has some cool riffing that reminds me a lot of “On Through the Night” era DEF LEPPARD.  It has that early NWOBHM charm that many traditional metal bands are now employing.  Chaturvedi and Lewis certainly don’t hide their influences and it shows throughout the disk.  On another track, they have added some of that early IRON MAIDEN guitar sound.  Just grab a listen to “Sirens of Steel” and you can hear that early MAIDEN gallop which gives the song a familiarity without sounding like a copy. 

The rest of the material follows along in KRYPTOS fashion with a lot of big riffs reminiscent of JUDAS PRIEST and vocals that remind me a lot of Udo Dirkschneider.  Those ACCEPT influences also creep in musically with “Turn Up the Heat” which I could have easily seen this being a track off the “Balls To the Wall” album.  It really is that good.  It has that strutting rhythm, heavy bass, and a catchy chorus that will make you headbang and pound your fist in the air.  As I mentioned earlier, the riffing is so catchy and good that you will find yourself humming along to “Electrify” and “Pathfinder”.  Those two have a heavy PRIEST influence along with a good helping of early NWOBHM energy. 

I haven’t lived with this album as long as “Force of Danger” but I feel that “Decimator” will ultimately come out on top.  There is a cohesive feel about the whole record and aside from the short instrumental “Solaris” which acts as an intro to the title track, this disk is just full-on riffing and fist pounding metal.  Now, to be fair, it is only slightly over thirty minutes long which makes this their shortest full length album so having a very consistent metal message is easier.  Short or not, the music is what matters and KRYPTOS  have produced another classic metal album.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the world is getting smaller with the internet and I’m finding that metal seems to be the commonality among all the countries.  Decades ago I wouldn’t have known there was a great metal band in India and here I am today reviewing their records.  It seems good old traditional metal resonates among all metalheads and “Decimator” is flying the flag proudly.  KRYPTOS is definitely a band to watch out for as they continue to put out quality material. 

AFM RECORDS 

KRYPTOS