Review by Adam M on September 27, 2018.

Krakow performs a very nice form of sludge metal that is more beautiful than its counterparts on Minus, their fourth full length.  The band brings the grimy style of Neurosis to the table, but has some moments that recall post rock and bring the album into gentler terrritories.  The summation of the parts of Krakow is difficult to compare to anyone outright because they combine elements from other bands so effectively.  The harsh parts have an impact, while the gentler moments with get under your skin.  See the track Sirens for this alteration between harsher and quiter segments. 

However, every song the band puts forth is constructed with a great deal of care and attention.  Some of the moments not only recall Neurosis, but also Mastodon and Baroness.  This mixing of styles is effective and leads to some innovative moments.  The band have created their own niche and know how to fill it quite nicely.  As the album progresses, the songs get even longer and more complex which brings in a nice progressive element to the band.  The overall sound has a nice impact, but comes up a bit short still.  This is mostly material that other bands have done, but it is spliced together nicely.  They can’t equal the great Neurosis for example, who still have an upper hand on them.  Despite being slightly less excellent than some of their influences, Krakow pull off an undeniable gem of an album with Minus. 

It has enough dynamics to remain a huge fixture in the metal scene.  There is just so much going on for a mainly sludge release, that it’s hard to ignore all the positives on offer here.  People that are fans of Neurosis, Mastodon and Baroness will undeinably be drawn to this.  Fans of these bands namechecked need to check Minus out. 

Rating: 7.8 out of 10