Review Summary: Here Comes The Kraken do Deathcore with substance, and it shows on this blistering and technical album.
In the Deathcore scene, which is among the most criticized in music, great bands are at a premium. Sifting through the dirt that is most of Deathcore can be tiring, but ultimately satisfying once a gem is uncovered and examined. Enter: Here Comes The Kraken. The band was formed in Auguascalientes, Mexico, and were discovered due to their ridiculously fast double-bass work on their 2007 Demo. On their 2009 self-titled release, however, they feauture much more than just their drummers' foot speed.
The first real song on the album, "Don't Fail Me Darko", starts the album off with a bang, as we are off to the races immediately with technical riffs, blistering drumming, and excellent low growls from the lead singer. Breakdowns do appear, but actually have a degree of substance to them, as they are complemented by interesting drum work and weird sweep picking from the guitars.
From there, we go to "Into The Slaughter Basement", a song about the affect abortions have on nurses and doctors, as every unborn child lives on in their "Basement", that is to say, their mind. The song is actually somewhat saddening, as the tone of the guitars and the atmosphere that comes off of every snare hit make the song sound as cold and alone as the subject is. Here's where HCTK really seperate themselves from the rest of deathcore: They have audible bass that is very fun to listen to.
"Into The Slaughter Basement" is the crown jewel of the album, in my opinion, as it sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song is written with all sorts of diffirent technical riffs, which are the backbone of the entire album. A bass solo interlude in the middle of the song is also very refreshing, and the song even features some screwed up, Mathcore sounding areas.
The rest of the album follows suit wonderfully, with the drums accenting the guitars in their excellent form by having many substantial fills placed in just the right spots. "The Legend Of The Rent Is Way Hardcore", the song that made HCTK famous, still has the lighting fast double-bass, and is produced much better than it was on the demo. Alternating highs and lows from the lead vocalist make for a nice variation in the tones of the song, as it can go from downright evil to somber in a minute.
The lyrics are the one thing holding this album back. The members' first language is Spanish, and it is extremely evident in lyrics such as "Trying to look good, but what it seems it's a monster, on the other side of the room". However, they are solid on songs like "Underwater Visions". You can't blame them for trying, though.
Despite the grammar errors and fragments present in the lyrics, the band more than makes up for it with their adept instrument playing and excellent vocals. The subject matter of the album ranges from war to abortion to anorexia, and also includes some fantasy elements in the lamentful "Underwater Visions". If you are just listening for the double bass, "The Legend Of The Rent Is Way Hardcore" is still the gold-standard, but "Confessions of What I've Done" is another brutal song featuring blisteringly fast double-bass work, along with the technical guitars and interesting drumming that Here Comes The Kraken does so well.
This album is certainly worth a listen, as Here Comes The Kraken really lets you have it with a record that is just as serious as it is fun, and just as interesting as it is brutal. One of the best albums that the Deathcore genre has to offer, hands down.
