Indian Metal has come a long way in the past two decades. Consider the Death Metal ferocity of Demonic Resurrection and, more recently, the higher profile of Bloodywood, but one band has even greater status. That is Kryptos, formed in Bangalore in 1998 and often seen as the spearhead of all Indian Metal.Â
Kryptos – Decimator (AFM Records)
Release Date: 5 July 2024
Words: Paul Hutchings
They have a good pedigree, having supported the likes of Iron Maiden, Testament, Kreator and Exodus, amongst many others. With six albums under their belt, the last being 2021’s Force Of Danger, it’s now time for their latest release, Decimator. 
First impressions of a band I admit to coming at with no baggage are reasonable. The musical ability isn’t breathtaking, but the music is competent if a little pedestrian at times. Straddling the boundaries of Traditional Metal and Thrash Metal, you can hear the band’s influences – Maiden, Priest, Metallica, Anthrax, Helloween, all spring to mind.
This is unsurprising given the influence said bands will have across the Globe, India being no exception.
It’s a short album with nine songs that last just over 30 minutes in total, and that is a strength, for their ability to bring the tracks to a swift conclusion does mean no overblown histrionics. Instead, Kryptos get down to the job in hand with the Thrash-tinged Sirens Of Steel.
As you can see from the name, they aren’t exactly tearing up the Heavy Metal by Numbers rule book. A slower Scorpions / Accept vibe appears on Turn Up The Heat, one of the more mundane numbers here. In fact, it’s a bit predictable and average, so move swiftly on.
Whilst Electrify doesn’t exactly tear up any roots, the acoustic interlude that follows in Solaris is a decent pause.
The title track, Decimator, gets the head nodding, although there’s nothing particularly exciting, whilst In The Shadow Of The Blade is another track to tick the boxes. It’s solid enough to enjoy but isn’t going to get you rushing out to purchase.
Having said that, there is some fine guitar work very much in the style of Murray and Smith circa 1985 on this song, and it’s certainly one of the stronger songs here.
Ultimately, whether you enjoy this album or not is almost irrelevant. We know the challenges that Indian bands have faced for many years, and even if they don’t have the quality of peers in Europe and the US, the fact that Kryptos do what they do brings a smile and a nod.
For now, that’s good enough for me, and whilst I’m not rushing to order this album, I may well spin it from time to time in the future.
