Krypteria
Bloodangel's Cry

There are some bands that, despite continuing to produce poor or at least insufficient work, you feel it is necessary to keep faith: "the potential is there, you can sense it, let's give these guys time to fully emerge." Wise words. Well, the Germans Krypteria fall entirely into the category of bands just described: lots of good ideas, equally many disappointments. Moral of the story? Two albums ("Krypteria" and "In Medias Res") that are at least irritating. So, two years go by, and in 2007, the band led by Ji-In Cho, a German-Korean who has caught the attention of many men, returns with a new album, "Bloodangel's Cry." Is this the right time?

No. Or rather, not yet, even though the first (the only?) glimmers begin to appear at the end of the tunnel. "Bloodangel's Cry" presents the usual Krypteria formula: an indefinite mix of Power, Symphonic, and Gothic metal, with some occasional forays into Heavy territory. As mentioned, not to praise some aspects would be incorrect and unfair: the sound manages to achieve a good balance between clarity and roughness, Chris Siemons' guitar performance is remarkable (listen to "Time To Bring The Pain": an understated orgasm), Frank Stumvoll's bass is entertaining (intro to "I Can't Breathe"), and the choirs, although perhaps redundant, are well-placed and prove to be a pleasant and clever addition.

However, the flaws are there, and their weight is palpable. It’s a shame to say, but one of these is precisely the voice of Ji-In Cho: the German-Korean may have a jaw-dropping figure, but her vocal chords are tragically too little biting in powerful tracks, and too mellifluous (almost a whine) in the more delicate and introspective ones. Another major flaw is the lyrics: banal, poor, and if you will, even naive. Here, the only thing deep, other than the singer's neckline, is the duration of the last track, "At The Gates Of Retribution", the classic ten-minute brick thrown at the end. Last but not least (so to speak), the drums are too subdued. Result? Only one convincing song ("I Can't Breathe"); the others can be listened to but are soon forgotten. And all this makes "Bloodangel's Cry" a mediocre album, which still deserves a pass for the emotions it sporadically offers and for the good ideas contained within (ideas that in the subsequent "My Fatal Kiss" will be translated into enjoyable and solid realities).