25th December 2019

Review: “Krampusnacht” by Hellevate

Kansas City, Missouri natives Hellevate add the Tabasco to your Thrash equivalent of a Bloody Mary with Erik “Jager” Schmutzler (Vocals), Dan “Danowar” Whitmer (Guitar), Zack “the Ripper” Burke (Bass), RJ “Machine Gun” Whitmer (Drums) and Josh “the Boss” Cole (Guitar) joined by backing vocalists Christopher Smith, Kristen Alley and Elizabeth Saint for “Krampusnacht“. The song and EP takes it’s name from Krampus the goat demon, who comes to take away all the children who have misbehaved during the year in a traditional central European folktale not too dissimilar to the Pied Piper of Hamelin…

…Sometimes Traditional Christmas music can simply be something we are forced to endure. Fortunately there are a few choice Metal offerings out there and in “Krampusnacht“, Hellevate have given us a fine addition to those offerings. They’ve managed to escape the trappings of over indulging in cheese or producing a beefed up version of a Traditional Christmas Carol and instead have created a Thrash gem that is straight out of the Exodus playbook. Erik “Jager” Schmutzler is a fine vocalist and the lyrics he has produced for this one are very well constructed with a fine storytelling style while Dan “Danowar” Whitmer lands that killer solo. The final note of “Jingle Bells” in slightly warped, drunken, off kilter style will raise a smile once you’ve finished banging your head. “If You Want Peace…” is simply the introduction speech to “Prepare For War“, a re-recording of a cut originally released in 2012. It’s been beefed up all around with an improved quality in the mixing and mastering department. The array of pitching changes in the vocals are all well cut in and as much as this EP is about the title track, you can’t help but marvel at the whirlwind of riffs and jackhammer footwork on this second cut proper [8/10]

Track listing