Once again, Ukraine, a country that has left a significant mark on international Black Metal, as many practitioners of the genre know, this time we will dissect Kryga, a horde that has emerged from the depths in 2026, releasing their first EP, ‘Occult Quintessence’.
It begins with an introduction that shares the title of the work, leading into ‘Illusory Dilemma’, which attacks with fast and intense Black Metal accompanied by keyboards embellishing the track. The reminiscences of the old Limbonic Art are strong, with good vocals in keeping with the projected Symphonic style, especially in tracks like ‘Carnal Union With The Antichrist’, where the fast rhythm combines with blast beats and double bass drumming. The guitar work in this track, in particular, is good, with a strong tremolo guitar riff galloping over the melodies, which are accompanied by keyboards and end with guttural vocals altered by effects.
The average song length ranges between 4 and 5 minutes, but there’s one track that almost reaches 8 minutes with a brief introduction called ‘Astral Suicide Trip’. This introduction evokes what would be that fatal journey through the astral plane and segues into one of the tracks with the most variations in tempo and instrumental rhythms. In some slower moments, the keyboards bring back those passages from Agatus’ past, giving it depth and epic nuances.
The closing track, ‘Black Curse’, lives up to its title and is a satanic litany featuring the most classic guitar riffs of 90s Black Metal: ‘Grokh, Berokh, Satarog, Betu, Barokh, Astarog…By Barabbas, by Satan, by the Devil – be accused, And by the cold of the grave be bound. Hear me, my father, Father of all fathers – infinite Light, I give myself wholly Into your power and into your hands.’
I think the only thing not in favor of this work is that it features programmed drums, but otherwise it’s a Symphonic Black Metal EP that’s easy to listen to with 21 minutes under its belt.
