Krallice Krallice Genres:Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock, Metal Recognized as one of the most virtuosic guitar wizards today, Mick Barr displays his awe-inspiring six-string histrionics in such bizarre outfits as Ocrilim (Hydra Head) and Orthrelm (Ipecac), bending and stretching the... more » rules of modern-day playing and giving new meaning to progressive guitar-work. Nonetheless, Barr (who has also collaborated with the likes of John Zorn and Mike Patton) is quite the enigma today.« less
Recognized as one of the most virtuosic guitar wizards today, Mick Barr displays his awe-inspiring six-string histrionics in such bizarre outfits as Ocrilim (Hydra Head) and Orthrelm (Ipecac), bending and stretching the rules of modern-day playing and giving new meaning to progressive guitar-work. Nonetheless, Barr (who has also collaborated with the likes of John Zorn and Mike Patton) is quite the enigma today.
"Forget the labels and appreciate this for what it is--brilliant compositions involving amazing virtuosity. This stuff is as epic as Explosions in the Sky or Pelican and as ferocious as Weakling."
They never claimed...
Emperor Buyer | USA | 03/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...to be black metal, but inspired by. Looking past that sort of ridiculousness, is this album pure or not, who cares. Is the music good...absolutely. A solid production without pushing into commercialism, and the music: complex guitar riffs, original vocals, bass guitar that is there for a reason - to be heard, proper drumming. This is thinking man's black metal, not just some satanic garbage recorded in a basement with childish lyrics. If you are a fan of Satyricon's (Rebel Extravaganza) album, Enslaved, Nachtmystium then you should treat yourself to this gem."
Excellent Black Metal
David | somewhere, USA | 11/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Completely out of left field, a black metal masterpiece has been unleashed on the general listening public, by the likes of Mick Barr and Colin Marston, with Lee Weinstein on drums. If you dig Weakling and Wolves in the Throne Room, Krallice is likely to be exactly your cup of tea. But Krallice doesn't just borrow from other great black metal acts; they meld it all into their own unique time-warping, epic pieces. This release has some of the most remarkable pure musicianship I've heard on any BM album ever, in fact. 2008 has been a great year for music, and Krallice's debut is near the top of the list. A must-have."
Experimental, epic, furious...
Serpent | Maine, USA | 08/20/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Let me just start off this review by saying... "This has got to be one of the greatest black metal albums to be released in the last decade"... This is just my opinion of course, but I think any true black metal fan would agree after just one listen of this amazing CD.
This is the self-titled debut release from guitar wizard Mick Barr (Ocrilim, Orthrelm) and bassist Colin Marston (Behold... The Arctopus, Dysrhythmia). Released through Profound Lore Records, this hour long opus, consisting of 6 tracks ranging from 6-15 minutes in length, is very experimental yet still retains that pure sound of classic black metal acts such as Burzum, Gorgoroth and Ulver. As the band stated, in a recent article I read, their goal is to "create vitriolic time-stretching epic black metal"... Which is exactly what they have achieved with this release. When I first heard that Barr and Marston were teaming up to put out a black metal album; I must admit, I was a bit skeptical, but still intrigued enough want to check it out. Upon first listen, to this mind numbing CD, I became engulfed in the originality and beauty of the guitar work, which has a furiously hypnotic effect on the senses.
Krallice is definitely a band to keep a watchful eye on and I would strongly recommend this release to any fan of true Black metal or any fan of Mick Barr's guitar genius, as this is arguably some of his best work to date."
Excellent, epic music
Jonathan Dona | San Jose, CA, USA | 02/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like people have mentioned before this music reminds me of Wolves in the Throne Room, Explosions in the Sky, and Pelican. All in the best way possible. This is excellent music. Don't listen to the elitist one star review. Is this black metal? I don't know and don't care. Neither will you when you hear this. Just take it for what it is--excellent, epic music with great musicianship and song structures. Buy this if you want to listen to something interesting and different. Awesome album."