EP Review: Kromheim - Kromheim (2020)

Picture Credit: Kromheim
Artwork: Pantelis Politakis
 

Kromheim - Kromheim
Release: June 23, 2020
Label: selfrelease
Format: CD / Digital
Length: 22:29
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Origin: Poland

Kromheim is the solo project by Polish musician Mikołaj Popławski. The self-titled debut EP of the one-person army is a product of the lockdown and features four tracks. All songs are thus written and recorded by Popławski himself. Mix and master though were done by Simone Pietroforte at Divergent Studios.


The cover artwork by Pantelis Politakis speaks volumes about the music you can hear on "Kromheim". This is pure Melodic Death Metal with a powerful impact by Northern European Folk Metal or Viking Metal. Clean staccato leads hover above a grooving Death Metal landscape and create atmospheric and cold moods. Popławski plays drums, keys, bass, guitars, and growls his gloomy narrative over these icy layers.


I am not the greatest connaisseur of Viking or Folk Metal, and Melodic Death Metal is not my metier either. But I recognize some similarities to early Amon Amarth and the later phase of Dissection. My favourite features on the EP are the frozen staccati and the choral-like background vocals in the opening track 'Prayer'. Kromheim's debut EP is definietyl atmospheric and intense. For my personal taste, a little less melody would be adequate.

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