Krotalias returns to our territory for a second strike, and this is something that deserves serious attention. This reptile shakes its tail to the rhythms of desert punk, charging forward with relentless energy and showing absolutely no mercy. Is it a dangerous snake? Absolutely. After all, we are talking about an explosive fusion of punk and desert/stoner rock, an amalgam built on infectious melodies and crushing riffs, yet impossible to confine within any single description. Krotalias roams freely through the landscapes of pure rock ‘n’ roll, authentic southern rock, gritty rockabilly, sun-baked country, good Greek rock, and even Greek folk music. That is why comparisons to bands such as Green Day or Social Distortion fail to capture the full picture. One thing, however, is certain: you are guaranteed to have a great time with every bite — or rather, every song — delivered by Krotalias. The melodies are instantly addictive, the guitar work is flawless (just listen to the riffs, solos and melodic phrases, and you’ll be hooked), while the vocals shift effortlessly between smoother and rougher tones, perfectly matching the diverse character of the album’s eleven tracks. The arrangements are particularly intriguing, carefully crafted to add depth and texture to the record. With each listen, the album reveals new details and rewards the persistent, demanding listener. Desert punk fans across the globe would be wise to seek out and acquire “Enos Leptou Sigi” — there is much to gain from this release. As for everyone else, this is an excellent opportunity to discover both the clever marriage of punk and stoner rock and the remarkable talent of Krotalias. The venom of this serpent causes fever and heart palpitations. Don’t worry, though — it won’t kill you. It will simply make you smash everything in front of you!
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
