Label: Void Wanderer Productions
Date: June 27th, 2024
Black metal has never had a stronghold in Italy. Extreme metal in general only just made a few worthwhile footsteps on the scene. However, there’s almost a constant intake of fresh names spawning on the Apennines. This one being just three years old, their already third discographic dash even landed on a respectable Dutch label. Searching for something special, on a peninsula known for something completely different, may begin.
“A Crippled Power” is an EP, lasting just under seventeen minutes, split into five pieces of pure black metal. When I say pure, I mean really pure, old school, second wave, most prominently Scandinavian black metal. Take a pick at names that influenced Kybalion, you won’t be wrong. From early Mayhem, to Dark Funeral, Marduk, Gorgoroth, Watain, Satyricon, Immortal… The type of music which made all these names so grand on a global scale, that’s where Kybalion finds themselves. They’re taking it all in, with every aspect of blackened creation covered. They can be brutally fast and aggressive, but also grimly slow and atmospheric. But don’t forget about the utterly evil melodies. Also, the raw thrashing black metal finds its place on “A Crippled Power”. Of course, where would it all be without the fiendish screams coupled with a couple of grunts and a godlike deep clean voice.
Indeed, Kybalion took everything and quite solidly put it together into short, yet concise cuts. Their songs are well composed, driving and fairly enjoyable. Technically speaking, there’s no fault with the Italians’ creation. “A Crippled Power” is a black metal release every fan will enjoy.
Still, it’s also a release that is very easy to forget. Unfortunately, Kybalion has yet to make a significant contribution to the genre. As is, they are falling into the most saturated crowd of bands that are performing honest and pure, yet utterly derivative black metal. Though this is a grouping of songs no band should be ashamed of and Kybalion is obviously a band that has a profound knowledge of the type of music they want to produce, there are no really astounding moments on “A Crippled Power”.
However, there’s also a brighter side of this EP. Well, “brighter” is not really a correct choice of word, but you know what I mean. Namely, the lyrical direction Kybalion took is not very common. As the band’s name suggests, the songs deal with Hermetic philosophy and its principles. Therefore, the verses make for an interesting reading and if only Kybalion can find a way to incorporate the same into their music as well, we might find their next output a real gem. It might just make this band the mentioned stronghold for Italian extreme metal in the global setting.
