Qrixkuor – Three Devil’s Dance. (Invictus Productions. 2016).

Qrixkuor – Three Devil’s Dance. (Invictus Productions. 2016).

In this review, I would first like to make an apology for the comparison I made between Qrixkuor and Portal in the last issue of the zine. In retrospect, there is something quite different about Qrixkuor that means that it was lazy to just compare them to Portal. This is brought to the fore with their latest EP, which, whilst similar to the last, further highlights the difference between Qrixkuor and Portal or Impetuous Ritual. Ultimately, the best description for this band in some ways is intricate, meandering, entrancing Metal of Death evocative of serpents tunnelling through a septic swamp and into the depths of the Earth. The ritualistic, labyrinthine offering that is Three Devil’s Dance is an outstanding release from the London-based deviants and will transfix you as it bores into your soul. Starting off with a brilliant piece of classical music that puts you in a state of unease and summons forth pictures of the great swirling void, before the stampede of chaotic riffs kicks in and drags you into the morass of darkness. Guitar solos squeal briefly through the entanglement of crawling, Lovecraftian riffs, like tortured souls drowning in pits of boiling water in Tartarus. The drumming is complex and complimentary of the general turmoil that is this EP. As soon as the first song, Serpent’s Mirror finishes, it smoothly flows into Crypt of Illusions Bane. As the EP continues to unfold, it winds in its spellbinding serpentine manner. At just under 40 minutes, this may be long for 3 songs, but the band will hold your attention. Production wise, this is spot on. The guitars generally sound suffocating, with the solos sounding like shrieks, and the drums are clear. There may be many bands playing in this style at the moment, but Qrixkuor are near the top in terms of quality, as signified by the fact they’re signed to Invictus Productions. Get this EP. 8.5/10.