Kragens - Seeds Of Pain
Locomotive ( 2005 )
Don’t be put off by the very uncreative cover, France’s Kragens deliver one of the most diverse and interesting albums I’ve heard recently. Although I have learnt not to pay much attention to press releases, the fact that it described this band as a mixture of Nevermore, In Flames and Soilwork intrigued me. One listen to opener ‘Seeds of Pain’ and I’m pleased to see that once more the press release is not exactly accurate. Kragens are much more!
While the Nevermore connection is understandable, as I listen to more tracks I realize that singer Renaud Espeche’s amazing vocals are closer to Queensryche’s Geoff Tate than those of Warrel Dane. While Warrel’s vocals can sound sometimes discordant (part of the Nevermore trademark), the French nails every note with incredible harmony and I have to say, I prefer the later.
As for the In Flames/Soilwork similarity, it’s just non existent. The death vocals are harder and certainly closer to pure death metal rather than melodic death
In conclusion, a cocktail of classic riffs with touches of thrash metal, beautiful clean vocals and brutal death growls, all sounding incredibly cohesive.
Kragens have created a league of their own and they sit at the top of it. They certainly deserve to be better known.
Locomotive ( 2005 )
Don’t be put off by the very uncreative cover, France’s Kragens deliver one of the most diverse and interesting albums I’ve heard recently. Although I have learnt not to pay much attention to press releases, the fact that it described this band as a mixture of Nevermore, In Flames and Soilwork intrigued me. One listen to opener ‘Seeds of Pain’ and I’m pleased to see that once more the press release is not exactly accurate. Kragens are much more!While the Nevermore connection is understandable, as I listen to more tracks I realize that singer Renaud Espeche’s amazing vocals are closer to Queensryche’s Geoff Tate than those of Warrel Dane. While Warrel’s vocals can sound sometimes discordant (part of the Nevermore trademark), the French nails every note with incredible harmony and I have to say, I prefer the later.
As for the In Flames/Soilwork similarity, it’s just non existent. The death vocals are harder and certainly closer to pure death metal rather than melodic death
In conclusion, a cocktail of classic riffs with touches of thrash metal, beautiful clean vocals and brutal death growls, all sounding incredibly cohesive.
Kragens have created a league of their own and they sit at the top of it. They certainly deserve to be better known.
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