It was but 2017 when a humble mini-album titled Burning Torches emerged from a then-unknown KROSSFYRE. A swift detonation of deadly decibels and surprise hit all around, KROSSFYRE's first recorded statement for HELLS HEADBANGERS proved absolutely addicting: berzerker intensity and timeless METAL songcraft colliding head-on for 20 utterly exciting 'n' electric minutes. Of course, perhaps this auspicious start wasn't all that surprising given that the Spaniards' ranks included members who do or have done time in such bands as Sheidim, Spain's Graveyard, Körgull the Exterminator, Insulters, Morbid Flesh, and Suspiral...
And while all's been quiet on the KROSSFYRE front since then, at long last do they release their first full-length: Rites of Extermination. Thankfully, no great changes have been made to their iron-fisted attack; passion and poison have been mixed into their cauldron again for a longer 'n' stronger result. In a taut 'n' tight 38 minutes, Rites of Extermination whips forth a fury that's strangely familiar yet simultaneously refreshing - just like Burning Torches in that regard, but both more unhinged and finessed here. Call it black metal, death metal, thrash, or just HEAVY METAL, the album spills forth a go-for-the-throat hellishness that's timeless to the very end: infectious songwriting is the order of the day here, just as it was way back in the day. And while references to classic Nifelheim and VOMITOR can still be made, KROSSFYRE can now handily count themselves among those hallowed ranks, so devout is their devotion to the original EVIL essence of metal itself, genre delineations and divisions be damned.
Wrapped in clearer and more cutting production that somehow manages to be even more devastating than their nuclear-assaulting debut EP, Rites of Extermination is everything - and more, MUCH MORE - a first KROSSFYRE album should be. Hear the roar of war and feel the Devil's force, fiercer and fresher than ever!
supported by 6 fans who also own “Rites Of Extermination”
This young man is incredibly talented, the progress is also noticeable from album to album, new discovery for me and I do love them ALL !!! sachavonkarl74
supported by 5 fans who also own “Rites Of Extermination”
A labyrinthine exploration of the most otherworldly aspects of death metal and black metal's caustic intermixing. Filled with nuanced structures that veer into a multitude of directions with a focused sound, there is a noticeable intent to pull each genre further along into a new world. Presenting mazes of songs that unfurl and restrict in tandem before spiraling to another place, Ulthar stand at the forefront of what can be accomplished in extreme metal. Lorenzo
Scorching black metal from Houston, featuring members of Night Cobra, Oceans of Slumber, Venomous Maximus, and more. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 7, 2023
supported by 5 fans who also own “Rites Of Extermination”
Sometimes when bands move from demo to first release, they lose something: not as fast or not as evil or too produced.
This album is not one of them.
The recording is cleaner, so you can hear things better than _Rise of Death_ but otherwise, this has the same black thrash from the speed layer of the Abyss sound.
Highly recommended for fans of Shakma, Nuclear Revenge, early Kreator, or Gallower.
Several horns way up. perverseosmosis