London based Occult Death Metal duo Qrixkuor are about to unleash a new one track, twenty four minute EP entitled ‘Zoetrope’ and released by Invictus Productions on both CD and cassette.
The definition of a ‘Zoetrope’ is a 19th-century optical toy consisting of a cylinder with a series of pictures on the inner surface that, when viewed through slits with the cylinder rotating, give an impression of continuous motion. Well, Qrixkuor have nailed together a sound for this EP that fits this description perfectly.
‘Zoetrope’ is an EP in perpetual motion and sporting a sound like travelling through a tunnel of metal horrors. Qrixkuor create the clamour of bedlam through intensive and constant thunderous drum tones and bleak guitar leads, yet the real power of this EP comes from the mind-bendingly haunting and sinister backing vocals, that sound like sirens from Greek mythology luring folk into their lair before bringing about their destruction. Added to this concoction of cruelty are subtle piano tone interludes that suggest menace and cruelty!
In one twenty four minute long song Qrixkuor manage to convey a sense of mind bending terror through a kaleidoscope of brutal unyielding drum tones, ravenous darkened guitar leads and a whole host of almost operatic noise. From start to finish the ‘Zoetrope’ EP is mesmerising, daunting, oppressive and monstrous!
(8/10 Marksson)
Leave a Reply