Luti-Kriss is what you get when you take a couple of talented guys who practice long, tour hard, and follow their dream. Best described as nearly-chaotic hardcore/metal full of furious riffs, thick bass, and solid beats, this band is tight. Add some obvious Deftones influences, and some emotional rapping/screaming/singing/spoken words by lead throat Josh, and you get some surprisingly good music. Songs like "Body of God" and "I Covenant I'm Yours" showcase the Deftones influences, but also show the band's tightness as a musical unit. Lyrics like this verse from "Body Of God" best describe Luti-Kriss's lyrical style:
My outstretched arms for You
My outstretched heart bleeds for You
A cry rang out, "Crucify the Lord"
and a cry saved my life, "It is finished"
This is Jesus Christ
Who came to die for you
Now sins ripped apart
He died for you.
The other half of this split CD is four new songs by Travail. Despite a new guitar player and bassist, the grooves are still here, and even tighter than the ones on[ is this their last album? Their first album?] Anchor of My Soul. Travail has improved with better production, improved vocals, thicker grooves, and tighter song structure. The all-out groove of "Return" is an excellent example of what this band is capable of, and how far they've progressed. While Travail lays down some solid tracks, Luti-Kriss's 5 debut songs take the cigar. Here's to hoping both bands continue to record and improve.
Travail: 3.5 tocks. Luti-Kriss: 4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #87Reviewed by Bryan RutherfordLuti-Kriss' 5ep on Pluto Records -- I know what you're saying, 'Why the heck is Luti-Kriss in the Pick of the Litter, and since when did they record a new album?' Well, honestly, neither of those things will stand after you're done reading this brief, re-issue announcement. Let's go all the way back to the summer of '99 -- Pluto Records, a Dallas/Fort Worth based record label, released a split EP…HM Magazine #81Reviewed by David M. PoggeHere's a split CD from two of the finest unsigned hardcore bands I've heard. To be completely honest, these two bands would rival any of the signed hardcore bands out right now. Luti-Kriss delivers an intense display of passion that would be a definite hit with fans of Blindside and early Korn. Travail sticks to that classic hardcore style with those growly vocals that border on rap. This CD is a…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by FletchIf you liked Travail's Anchor of My Soul cd, this is a must. Both bands pump out extreme "pimpcore." If you've been wondering where the Christian stuff is that sounds like Korn and Limp Bizkit, look no further. Luti-Kriss, although young, have a mature sound. Not only is their music good, but their message is solid as well. There's no mistaking where these guys are coming from. The lyrics are…Similar sounding releases
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