HELK – The Chronos (2013)

Arriving from Mexico, today we have HELK and their very unique debut EP “The Chronos”. In this 6 song release, the band showcases a mixture of Black/Death/Thrash Metal that creates a melodic yet aggressive atmosphere very unique to this peculiar band. With a high dose of melodic riffs and epic headbanging moments, this is one EP that should not go unnoticed.

Opening with “Dark Funeral”, the band showcases their melodic aptitudes with incisive riffs, tight drumming, and catchy harsh vocals. With a certain air of bands like Kalmah and Carcass the release keeps pushing forward with “Freedom”. The combination of deep growls and harsh BM-style screams is quite engaging and allows the music to grow in different directions. Other playful tracks play off to the Thrash Metal strengths of HELK like the blistering “Vistrera”.

Changing the pace of things with “Growing in the Shadows”, the band moves into Melodic Black Metal territories in between clam passages. The best track in this release comes under the name of “Second Chance”, a slow paced onslaught that is quite well crafted and greatly shows the band’s depth in terms of composition skills. Closing the release in full strength, we have the catchy “Objects”, combining playful riffs and interesting tempo changes with some eerie clean vocals thrown into the mix.

Overall, “The Chronos” is a very interesting release from a promising Mexican band. We particularly love how the band combines multiple influences and creates a very unique and playful style of their own. If you are into Melodic Metal with none of the modern-metal bullshit, look no further and start listening to HELK.

Label: Self-Released

Release: 2013

Genre: Black/Death/Thrash Metal

Country: Mexico