8th August 2023

Review: “Slamzilla The Returning” by Krocophile

Simply describing themselves as “Reptilians writing slam for our fellow reptilians“, Lansing Michigan natives Krocophile have got some serious talent in their corner when it comes to their sophomore EP “Slamzilla: The Returning“. Mixed and mastered by Mychal Soto (Abated Mass Of Flesh, Cell, Strangled) at Slamnasium Recordings and adorned by artwork by Aghy Purakusuma (Stillbirth, Pure Wrath, Reduced), it was released by Jakarta, Indonesia based label Brutal Mind earlier this summer.

Three years after 2020 debut EP “A Cold-Blooded Torture Chamber” caught our attention, the return of the beast begins with “Slamzilla“. A cut that opens with Boxing match style introduction before diving headlong into Metallica Hardcore riffs that tear a hole in the space time continuum to grab Deathcore by the throat. The Slam vocals are barbed and vicious to the point where while the words can’t be determined without the help of Sherlock Holmes, a microscope and a lyric sheet but it simply doesn’t matter. The throat gargling of the mysterious vocalist is simply another instrument, adding a depth and texture to the meaty riffs that are designed to start circle pits after than a wild fire goes from a a spark to a blazing inferno. There are moments of Death Metal influence in “Forced Shedding“, which also has bursts of blasting that are an a masterclass from a drummer who can reduce venues to rubble faster than an artillery shelling. Road rage takes hold for the savagely brutal “I Ride My Bike In Malaysia“, a skull battering with the sound of a push bike bell cleverly used for comic effect where others might use a cowbell or a clowns horn. Utter genius. Sinister and menacing “One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Hentai Stash” brings atmosphere to the bludgeoning, the vicious soundtrack to a curb stomp that’s the most fun you can have without gauging out an eyeball. “Dripping” has an ocean of Slamming Death Groove to it and will have Vulvodynia looking to summon the serpentine beast to get this animal on their next US tour but it’s “Order Of The Serpent” that goes off like a Molotov Cocktail. If there was one to grab you and pull you under for an infamous deathroll at the bottom of the putrid waters where this monster lives, this it’s this final brutal cut. Some shriller slam vocals threaten to burst the ear drums, a change up that adds a extra punch to their arsenal. So what are you waiting for? [8/10]

Track Listing