The music of bands as Crematory is a shock to Metal fans like I was back then before knowing the Metal music’s diversity that happened during the 1990’s. I mean, for some time I did not think it was possible to mix harsh and gutural vocals with slow cadenced instrumentals or instrumentals with lots of melody. In my mind, Extreme Metal had no place for melody. Not only in my mind, but on my behalf, Extreme Metal from the 1980’s avoided willingly melody to contrast with other kinds of Metal. It was a kind of statement. To tell you the truth I was in shock the first time I heard this kind of music. On the other hand, it was love at first sight, I mean, listening.
First thing that calls the fan’s attention is the tribute to Type O Negative with their timeless classic “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend.” “We were able to play a few festivals with Type O Negative in the 90s and get to know the guys. ‘My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend’ is made for Crematory and we wanted to express our respect. As a special treat, we added Michelle Darkness from End of Green as a guest vocalist, who mirrors Pete Steele’s vocal color perfectly and harmonizes sensationally with Felix,” says the scene veteran and founding member and drum legend Markus Jüllich. From a multifaceted band as Crematory, I must say their version sounds very personal as the fan is able to recognize both bands with the version.
The fan is welcomed by tittle track “Destination“ which starts with a very cool guitar riff that is not supposed to sound as Crematory’s usual pounding. The initial intro soon fades away and the usual Crematory’s mix of Gothic Metal with Industrial Metal steals the night. There is a lot of Nine Inch Nails in the band’s music, if one allows me to say, but Crematory are much more melodic as “The Future Is a Lonely Place” proves us. I guess this song is much more of the band than the tittle track. The unusual – for me – combination of a melodic eletronic song with the dark and hard guitars really works for the band. I dare to say Crematory should have been the soundtrack for the TV show Angel as they are his musical persona. For the ones who do not know the show, Angel is a vampire with soul, the same as Crematory’s music. I do not think any band could blend Amon Amarth’s guitars with that classic church organ sound and still sound perfect as they do with “My Own Private God.” No kidding.
It is true that sometimes Crematory exaggerate the electronic elements as in “Welt Aus Glas,” however for some weird reasons, the guitars here give the song a proper tone. My bad, I guess, because I forget sometimes Crematory have a foot on Industrial Metal, which the track proves not to be lost.
From everything I heard from Crematory – I reviewed their 2018’s “Oblivion“ and their 2017’s “Live Inssurection“ – I guess “Destination” pretty much sums up everything the band is. In a twisted way, they were able to put into an album everything they are about for the best and the worst. With this album I feel the word multifaceted band applies perfectly to the band. Diehard fans will love “Destination.”
Crematory “Destination” will be released on May 2nd via ROAR.
Track Listing:
01 – Destination
02 – The Future Is a Lonely Place
03 – Welt Aus Glas
04 – My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend
05 – After Isolation
06 – My Own Private God
07 – Days Without Sun
08 – Deep in the Silence
09 – Banished Forever
10 – Ashes of Despair
11 – Toxic Touch
12 – Das Letzte Ticket
Watch “Destination” official music video here:
Source: metaladdicts.com
