KROSSBREED – Carved In Stone

Self Released – demoCd2008

Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when you only have one. This adagio could well be the baseline of Antwerpian band Krossbreed. This outfit presents itself as an entity of four strong individuals with four very different views on metal. Their third demo is a convincing argument to underline that bold statement.

A lot has changed since their previous effort "Enjoy The Rage". The band won the battle for a spot on the Wacken bill and their gig on Europe's most legendary festival made quite some impression. Add some interesting interviews in zines and on radio stations and you have one hell of a year. These experiences have inevitably matured the band and "Carved In Stone" is the first result.

The 5 tracks on this demo are a lot more balanced and varied than their earlier work. Although the tracks are very different from each other (4 personalities, 4 ideas remember) the listener never has the feeling he is listening to some sort of compilation CD.

The music is still strongly rooted in the sound of bands like Soulfly, Machine Head and Pro-Pain but you can hear that the band is slowly evolving to a more particular sound by adding more ‘core’ ingredients and even epic flashes that reminded me of Life Of Agony. Strongest tracks on "Carved In Stone" are the title track and the deceivingly soft opening "Right Were It Belongs". Respect for the hard work these guys delivered the previous year. I am very curious if they succeed in further growing towards a first full-length.

75/100
Reviewed by Avon Moltoy