WhipKraft- Welcome to the Chapel Perilous

ARTIST: WhipKraft
ALBUM: Welcome to the Chapel Perilous
LABEL: Self-released
REVIEWER: Matthew J.
DATE: 10-28-07

Combining the slasher film aesthetic of early American death rock with the gritty guitars and garage rock production of old school thrash, WhipKraft's debut full-length could be a lot of fun, but the uneven quality is bound to be a turn-off for all but the most undiscerning goth and metal fans. Lead singer Vena Cava has a vocal style comparable to original Los Angeles death rock diva Dinah Cancer of 45 Grave, which is to say she's got a lot of spooky punk attitude, but not much of a range. This works better on some tracks than others. "Purgatory Kill" is gruesome punk rock at half-tempo, with chugging power chords and buzzing bass guitar, and "Chapel Perilous" is raw, edgy, and enthusiastic, with vocals in alternating layers of scream and bellow, like a heavy metal take on early Shadow Project. "The Chopping Block" is entertaining, at the very least, with campy slasher flick narration about skulls and maggots delivered in a sinister whisper. The more straightforward rock songs, though, are hit and miss. "Reflex" and "Victory Fear" are marred by flat vocals, despite some nice cymbal work on the drummer's part, and all "Hero Tried Failed" really has going for it are some nice, if not amazing, gothic guitar solos. "Skretched," on the other hand, is a lovely surprise, a slow bluesy number with sinuous vocals and slowly wailing guitars reminiscent of the Neither/Neither World's early serial killer-inspired country ballads. Overall, there's some good stuff here for diehard death rock and underground metal fans, but unless WhipKraft steps things up a bit on the production front, it's hard to imagine they'll really take off.

Visit www.whipkraft.com for more information.