Swedish sludge/post-metal band K L P S (formerly known as KOLLAPS\E) are on the verge of releasing their second full length album. The self titled record is comprised of six tracks that are all packed with well recorded and polished metal, which comes together incredibly cohesively to create a real journey of a listening experience.
The four piece band, formed in 2018, have set out to find their own unique sound in the bustling world of complex metal. This album, although only their second to be released, is a great example of such a sound - it doesn't stick to rules or within any bounds that the metal genre might create, and instead blossoms in a beautiful yet tragic way.
Track one, ‘SUBVERSE’, throws you right into the deep end with a perfect headbanging beat and masterful screams from lead vocalist Daniel Wallenburg. The sections of this song waiver between heavy breakdowns and artistic instrumentals that utilize the moments of calmness to create an atmospheric sound. ‘KATARSIS’ kicks off with synths that lead into another heavy cadence - here, the bass and guitar riffs really rule the roost as the rest of the song plays around them. A more melancholy kind of ambience is created on this track, one could easily picture an apocalypse soundtracked by this song. The fact that it's also entitled 'KATARSIS' is is very well portrayed as the song comes together, showing a huge build up then release of emotion.
Third up on the record is ‘TRIBULATION’, an eight plus minute long track that starts off slow and builds, using moments of calm between bars to create hard hitting moments. The guitar plays a very key part in the instrumentals, repeating a haunting yet addictive melody as the rest of the instruments build around it. The best part comes just before the five minute mark, when the instrumental is broken to bring back the desolate vocals and some intense hypnotic rhythms. 'NATTSVART’ is the heaviest track here, with a more fast paced tempo and even deeper screams. The title - meaning 'Black Night' in Swedish - is astoundingly apt and is reflected tremendously in the music, creating a soundscape that matches the name perfectly. The arrangement creates a real gothic aura - again, breaking between the heavy segments to deliver powerful instrumentals.
The penultimate track ‘UNDERTOW’ displays some of the best vocals from across the album, the vocals being aggressively guttural and presenting a perfect showcase of the bands ability to vary from their more instrumental focused songs. It also features an unexpected - yet pleasant - use of synthlike basslines in the second half, showing their lack of fear when being experimental, and it absolutely pays off! The last track on the album ‘AUREOLA’ refers to the light that radiates from a body presented as holy in its title, yet the booming drums and sorrowful riffs almost portray the exact opposite, like an entrance to hell or a journey into the depths of the earth. Later bringing in layered vocals, this slows into an instrumental and then grows into the meat of the song - the song keeps you waiting before finally dropping into an immensely satisfying finish. Featuring guitar solos, bass riffs and emotive melodies, there's truly nothing this song is missing - it is a stand out track.
All in all, this album holds anything that a sludge/post-metal fan could be looking for especially for those that look out for more atmospheric instrumental in their music. K L P S are lined up to play at Västerås Doom Fest later this year but we hope to see them playing more shows soon, one can only imagine how intense these songs would be in a live setting!
Score: 9/10
K L P S will be released on March 7th 2025 via These Hands Melt.
Words: Amy Smyth
Photos: K L P S
Comments