KRYPTIC KURSE - Sounds of Akursedness ('88-'92)
LABEL: ThrashBack Records
RELEASE DATE: July 12, 2024
KRYPTIC KURSE was formed in the mid-80's when vocalist Jeff Alberts and drummer Rob Vine joined up with guitarist Tom Wolfbang and bassist Ted Sledge, then known as Phantom, brought together out of their love for NWOBHM, Motorhead and the then burgeoning thrash and speed metal scene.
The band immediately got to work, revamping earlier Phantom material and writing anew, as well as playing tons of shows with the likes of other South Florida heavy hitters such as Paramoure, Paradoxx, Maddax, Screamer and Cynic, to name but a few. KRYPTIC KURSE would build a strong following, strong enough that they came to headline the famed Cameo Theater in Miami. No small feat for a local unsigned band.
In 1988 KRYPTIC KURSE would enter Quadradial Studios in Miami to record their debut six song demo "Kromonics". The demo was co-produced with local bass legend Wally Voss (Yngwie Malmsteen, Joey Tafolla) and was engineered / mixed by Chris Rutherford (Anthrax, Pat Travers Band). The tape would quickly gain the band attention from fanzines, radio and television on local, national and international levels. A video was made for the song "Nostradamus" which would end up on rotation on Canada's Much Music.
Moving from the 80's into the 90's, KRYPTIC KURSE would continue to lay waste to the Sunshine State's stages not only continuing to to headline local shows, but also supporting touring acts such as Warlock, Exodus, Sacred Reich, Atrophy, King Diamond, Flotsam & Jetsam and countless others. This period also saw the exit of drummer Robert Vines and the entrance of Johnny Psycho.
In 1991 KRYPTIC KURSE would enter GLED Recording Studios in Davie, FL to record the song "Sadistic Pleasure" for the third volume in the very popular local "Unsigned" series subtitled "Killing Time". The song was recorded live in the studio to DAT (Digital Audio Tape). The compilation was released in 1992 on Stryder Records, and along with KRYPTIC KURSE, featured Raped Ape, Solstice, Elysium, Fatal Sin, Sinful Lust, Tempus Fugit and others. The compilation was reissued by ThrashBack Records as a CD+DVD set under the title "Killing Time: Thrashed From the Vault" in 2019.
In 1992 KRYPTIC KURSE would enter the studio one last time, recording their second demo, another six track affair (not including two skits), primarily for shopping purposes. Following the "Killing Time" session playbook, the band would again record live in the studio, though this time multitracked to 1" tape. This final demo would be titled "Beyond the Flesh" and was recorded at Natural Sound Studios with Tomas Anthony (Raped Ape, Cynic, Emerald Steel, Monstrosity). The tape would further gain industry attention, a slot at SxSW and some label interest, but as with many bands burnout ensued. KRYPTIC KURSE would play their final show on April 28, 2004 at The Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale, FL with Exodus.
This 2024 anthology release, and fifth release in our "Florida Metal Archives" series, includes all of the bands recorded output from 1988 through 1992 (newly remastered by Eric Hoffman at Reformata Audio), cover art by Sidjimbe Art Studios and a brand new interview was conducted with vocalist Jeff Alberts by Chris Forbes of the legendary Metal-Core Fanzine. CD is packaged in a jewel case with a 16-page booklet packed with rare archival materials. CD is limited to a one time pressing of 300 copies worldwide.
FOR FANS OF: (early) Overkill, Exciter, (early) Agent Steel, (early) Heathen, Abattoir
TRACK LISTING:
-"KROMONICS" DEMO (1988)-
1. Kromonics
2. Intrusion
3. Fright Zone
4. Evil Lurks
5. Nostradamus
6. Aftermath
-"BEYOND THE FLESH" DEMO (1992)-
7. Into The Krypt
8. Biomechanix
9. Black Plague
10. Succubus
11. Wake The Dead
12. Sadistic Pleasure
13. Hamburger
14. Life Under Foot
-"UNSIGNED III: KILLING TIME" COMPILATION (1992)-
15. Sadistic Pleasure [Live in Studio]