Time and Space opens with a heavyset, stoner-rock riff that grinds and ploughs through the lower end chords, all the time in sync with the drumming of Michal Bugajski. The groove and vibe off this track is dark and unnerving, with little nuances scattered across it, that bring me back to a time when pharaohs of Ancient Egypt ruled the world
The Crux have been around for a while now, well, since 2011, when they went under the name of Warcrux. Since then, they have been constantly developing their style of catchy melodies and heaving riffs, tweaking things as they went, but all the time improving and perfecting their sound. They will be releasing their latest EP Time And Space on the 22nd April and I was lucky enough to get a preview of it. Richie has given me the forum to scratch some thoughts down for you all to read, hopefully whetting the appetite for its impending release.
The Crux open this latest EP with a track entitled Being, which is also the pre-released track. Mid-tempo drum rolls, with an old school lead guitar swell courtesy of Neil Ward, brings this EP to life, feeding fuel to the injectors, and revving things up with more old school riffs. Now, I am one fussy man when it comes to vocals, and they can either suck me into a track or eject me from the cockpit equally as quick. But it must be said that the first few notes from James Boyd are right on point. The clean, crisp delivery, with just enough rasping undertones, fits their sound to a tee. I can’t help but be reminded of Hell Is For Heroes vocalist Justin Schlosburg when I hear James, such is his measured tone and delivery, while at the same time keeping it a little gritty and untamed. Clever sing-along choruses are interweaved through chugging metal riffs and big, bombastic thrash metal guitar solos, giving Being the power to transport you back the days of the true Monsters Of Rock. A stomping opener, with a hook that’s buried so deep under your skin, that you can feel it scrape the bone!
Time and Space opens with a heavyset, stoner-rock riff that grinds and ploughs through the lower end chords, all the time in sync with the drumming of Michal Bugajski. The groove and vibe off this track is dark and unnerving, with little nuances scattered across it, that bring me back to a time when pharaohs of Ancient Egypt ruled the world. Just as the stoner riffs intensify, and the bass chords of Russell Moore deepen, the vocals also take on a more morbid and malicious tone, to parallel themselves with the music. Midway through the track, the tempo changes, and an injection of soaring guitars and a rumbling bass guitar creates a vortex of metallic power and intensity, all the time galloping forward, layer upon layer, until it explodes once more in a sea of solos and thundering drums.
Cornered has me instantly thinking of fire and chaos in equal measure, and this is because of the Rammstein soaked chorus that’s bellowed from the throat of James and from the high-speed riffs that pay homage to the thrash gods of the nineties. It’s a ferocious piece of metal music that batters the listener and is sure to be a behemoth of a live track. It has everything you want wrapped up in four minutes of fury and ferocity. That energy and aggression continues into Your Misery Will Kill Us All, with its guttural vocals and death metal riffs. The finale is huge as the atmosphere is poison and drenched in layers of drums, bass and guitars, charging mercilessly to the end, churning up all that’s in its path.
The Crux have redefined and repositioned their stance in metal circles with Time and Space and have actually given themselves both time and space to perfect and master their sound and set their sights on a future that is overflowing with raw energy and unrestrained power. These Belfast boys have made a statement with this release, and I look forward to seeing them deliver this EP live. Enjoy!