MEDIA - PRESS

English:
Those who are familiar with Stigmata (later Stygma IV) from the nineties, can imagine instantly what this fetching debut of Crimson Cult has to offer.
This is namely the sequel of that band. Stygma IV split in 2006, but bassist Alex Hilzensauer and guitarist Günter Maier always kept in contact with each other and last year they decided to form a new band. Crimson Cult was born and Walter Stüfer became the new singer while Peter Bachmayer entered as drummer.

The first demo from this line-up made it to demo of the month in German Rock Hard Magazine. After their signing at Dockyard I, they worked on this self-titled debut while these songs were written in three weeks time. Do not conclude it sounds like a rush job, since these experienced musicians know how to write good (and catchy) songs. Averse to all modern trends, the music of Crimson Cult can be described as a mixture of hard rock and (power) metal with excellent guitar work and fine vocals. Groove-laden rock (sometime with a Monster Magnet flavour) with a warm-hearted voice. I get a genuine nineties feel of it and Lake Of Tears is a band they reminded me most of.

Crimson Cult still writes proper songs, no wall of riffs with some ornaments around. By the way, in ‘Evil Design’ riffing is a bit akin to ‘Paranoid’ (Black Sabbath). From time to time the band sounds rather creepy (mark the vocals in ‘Dirty Demon’ and ‘Amok’) which might indicate a kind of doom influence; a feeling that steals over me during the lengthy closing track ‘Centre Of The Universe’ too. The echoing, resonant guitar skills of Günter give a personal touch to every song, while the choruses immediately settle down in your mind. The album also bath in a kind of melancholic timbre, that’s why songs like ‘Lava Machine’ (with wah wah guitars) and ‘Undead’ can surely be considered as highlights. Crimson Cult proves that you don’t have to run after the newest trend to make a meritorious album and even only for this they deserve our admiration.

Nederlands:
Wie bekend is met Stigmata (later Stygma IV) uit de jaren negentig, weet meteen wat Crimson Cult op dit lekker in het gehoor liggende debuut te bieden heeft. Dit is namelijk het vervolg daarop. In 2006 splitte Stygma IV, maar bassist Alex Hilzensauer en gitarist Günter Maier bleven altijd contact houden en vorig jaar besloten ze een nieuwe band te vormen. Crimson Cult was geboren, want Walter Stüfer werd de nieuwe zanger en Peter Bachmayer deed zijn intrede als trommelaar.

Een eerste demo van deze bezetting werd demo van de maand in het Duitse Rock Hard magazine. Nadat men getekend was door Dockyard I, werd er werk gemaakt van dit naamloze debuut waarvan de songs in drie weken tijd geschreven werden. Verwacht echter geen haastklus, want deze ervaren muzikanten weten hoe ze een goede (en aanstekelijke) song moeten schrijven. Wars van alle moderne trends laat de muziek van Crimson Cult zich omschrijven als een mix van hard rock en (power) metal met uitstekend gitaarwerk en goede zang. Groovende rock (soms Monster Magnet zweem) met een warme stem. Ik krijg er een heus jaren negentig gevoel bij en de band waar ik het meest aan moet denken is Lake Of Tears.

Crimson Cult schrijft nog songs, geen muur van riffs waar wat omheen gebouwd wordt. In ‘Evil Design’ hebben de riffs wel wat weg van ‘Paranoid’ (Black Sabbath) trouwens. Soms klinkt de band vrij creepy (let op de zang in ‘Dirty Demon’ en ‘Amok’) wat een zekere doominvloed zou kunnen verraden; een gevoel dat me ook bekruipt bij de lange uitsmijter ‘Centre Of The Universe’. Het galmende gitaarwerk van Günter geeft een persoonlijke toets aan elk nummer, terwijl de refreinen zich direct in je hoofd nestelen. Het album baadt ook in een zekere melancholie waardoor songs als ‘Lava Machine’ (met wah wah gitaar) en ‘Undead’ zeker tot de hoogtepunten gerekend mogen worden. Crimson Cult bewijst dat je geen trends achterna moet hollen om een verdienstelijk album te maken en daarvoor alleen al dragen zij onze bewondering mee.

From out of Salzburg, Austria, the hills are certainly alive with music - metal music that is, with newly formed power metal group Crimson Cult releasing their 's/t' debut CD.
In 2008, the band released a demo containing 5 tracks, and it was sent out to all the major record labels.
It didn’t take very long before Dockyard 1 liked what they heard and signed the band. Then in May of 2009, Crimson Cult released this debut CD.

Crimson Cult consists of guitarist and keyboardist Gunter Maier, bassist Alexander Hilzensauer, drummer Peter “Beda” Bachmayer and vocalist Walter Stuefer. Formed by Gunter and Alex after the demise of their previous band Stygma IV, Crimson Cult continues the power metal beltings of Stygma IV, but also contains traces of speed metal, melodic metal, groove metal and doom metal; reflecting the preferred style of music from the 2 founders.

Finding vocalist Walter Stuefer was indeed a catch in the rye, as his emotional vocals hit the mark on every track. Being a singer who can remind you of so many other power metal vocalists, Stuefer (on the flip side) also sounds quite unique. There is, at times, an insatiable undertone of gruffness and grittiness in his voice that just hooks you in and sends you deeper into the tracks; fully appreciating the talents of this “first time” power metal vocalist. This is most frequent on tracks such as the CD opener “Evil design”, the kick ass “Undead” and
“In the eyes”; whereas his softer, more melodic vocals comes forth in the track “Land of the crimson night” and
“Lava machine”.

Typically creating a traditional modern power metal sound, although unclear on where their direction truly lies, Crimson Cult does delve into other metal genres, such as doom metal. On the track “Dirty demon”, the band could easily be mistaken for doom metal band Candlemass. The eerie wails of the down-tuned guitars and heavy bass were also reminiscent of the early years of Black Sabbath. Crimson Cult also tries their hand at modern power thrash, with a Morgana Lefay and Nevermore-esk sounding track called “Misanthrope” that becomes one of the standout songs on the release; particularly with the fist-pumping main riff which thunders throughout the track.

Dark metal also gets the Crimson Cult treatment on the blistering track “Amok”. Starting slow, the dark and somber sounding track bursts into aggression during the catchy chorus, with another hard-nosed riff leading the way and making “Amok” another standout. The entertaining CD comes to a close with the strange, yet interesting 8-minute song “Centre of the universe”. Not sounding anything like the other songs on the CD, the erratic track changes tempo constantly, as does Stuefer’s vocal styles.

Apart from the creative collection of metal genres within the release, one strong point of this band would be the very solid songwriting; remembering that they are a new band with a debut release. Some bands when they first start out try to cover a few genres before finding their niche; sometimes it works while sometimes it doesn’t. As far a Crimson Cult goes, their dabbling into other genres had worked a treat and many different metalheads from different metal backgrounds will definitely find something on this CD that they will enjoy. Another tick on the sheet would come from the excellent guitar work of Gunter Maier. He confidently stamps his authority on every song on the disc, with wondrous hard riffs and sensible yet extraordinary solos, which leaves you hanging for more.

Knowing nothing about Crimson Cult before hearing their 's/t' CD, I had no expectations. I must say that I have been quite pleasantly surprised of the quality and creativeness of this band. I do expect this CD and band to be successful, and make serious waves in years to come, if not right off the bat with this release.

Take a pinch of Dragonforce, a shake of Iron Maiden, and mix in some, at times, disturbing lyrics on the subjects of blood, demons and the undead, and you've just baked yourself a cake of Crimson Cult. Release Date: 2 Jun 2009 - 8:30am
Two years after the demise of Stygma IV, Günter Maier and Alex Hilzensauer met vocalist Walter Stuefew and drummer Peter "Beda" Bachmayer and the four musicians formed Crimson Cult. Just three weeks after forming they had written their debut self-titled release. Some may argue that an album written so quickly couldn't possibly be good, while others will argue that it proves the band are 'meant to be' if they can write ten songs so effortlessly. Thankfully, the opening of this album is all the proof needed that this album will support the latter argument and hush the discussion. Chugging guitars and extreme guitar solos, insatiable drums and lyrics that could scare the weak-hearted, this self-titled album is addictive.

You could be forgiven in places for mistaking Crimson Cult's grinding guitar riffs for Dragonforce and epic vocals for Iron Maiden. However with songs such as Evil Design, Lava Machine and 2000 Lights you can rest assured that all similarities end there and this is a band with a unique sound who, with this album, have proven that they can hold their own among the best providing a refreshing combination of more classic metal vocals mixed with power metal music.

With songs named Undead, Dirty Demon and Misanthrope and lyrics talking about blood, death, demons, hatred, and torture, there is more than just a hint of evil in the theme of this album. This doesn't overshadow the poetic lyrics on every song, there might be evil undertones but the talent to write lyrics like this are a heavenly gift.

Despite the excellence of Crimson Cult it is quite draining and will cause your ears to bleed! With a running time of almost 55 mins for ten songs this album requires a lot of concentration to take it all in! However, getting through the whole album is worth every brain cell you've tired out and all of the blood you've wiped from your ears - and I guarantee you'll put yourself through it again and again.