Krust – Coded Language

Not a very enjoyable album. The best way I can describe it is it feels like Krust has just thrown a bunch of shit at the wall and kept what didn't slide down. None of it really flows or works together, from the samples to the vocals to the tracks themselves. I wanted to turn it off early on but kept going in the hopes that it gets better; it does a *little* bit when the strings start coming in later on but not enough to warrant another listen in short order.

A review further down cites this album as being "inaccessible". I have to whole-heartedly agree with that sentiment. If I was going to introduce someone to DnB this album would not be the way to do it. Not because it's for hardcore genre fans, but because it's just rubbish.

On the upside I did enjoy the drum samples and programming.

Many people don't give nearly enough credit to the overall musicality of this album. Granted, it's fairly inaccesible, being almost entirely very dark Techstep. But that doesn't mean it isn't worth it! As per Krust standard, every song is meticulously crafted, and most contain original recorded drums: a rarity in Drum n Bass. For the record (no pun intended), a lot of this album wouldn't really classify as true-to-form Drum n Bass, as it leans more to the experimental side. But there is at least one gem among the bunch; Guilty. It's a downtempo trip-hop sort of affair, and features the vocals of Morgan (There's no second name listed in the booklet)It's along the same lines as True Stories, though wanders into slightly darker territory. The intro is absoultely brilliant, but also deceiving; the rest of the song takes on a much more menacing vibe. Overall though, I find it to easily be one of Krust's better works. Maybe one of these days we'll be fortunate enough to behold an uptempo Drum n Bass remix...