18. January 2025
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Media Review

CKRAFT – Uncommon Grounds

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

CKRAFT - Uncommon Grounds

CKRAFT - Uncommon Grounds
4.4

Rating

 4.4/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Unique blending of very different genres
  • Very high musical quality

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Very unique style also requires a unique audience

On their Bandcamp site, CKRAFT are describing themselves as craftsmen of an elaborate and powerful sound. The French band is doing a mixture of metal sounds, jazz and Medieval music. On 17th January 2025, they are releasing their sophomore album. Here is my review of Uncommon Grounds.

 

CKRAFT – About The Artists

CKRAFT is a band founded and based in Paris. They are an instrumental quintet, consisting of Charley Kieny (accordion, compositions), Theo Nguyen Duc Don (saxophone), Antoine Morisot (guitar), Marc Karapetian (bass) and William Bur (drums). In 2022, they released their debut album Epic Discordant Vision.

 

CKRAFT – Uncommon Grounds – Track by Track

The eight track album lasts 34 minutes.

1. All You Can Kill

The opener All You Can Kill allows for a rather long intro, majorly driven by William Bur, before the main part of the song is starting. The song has also been the very first one I have ever heard of the band. The I am impressed, sometimes also a bit of overwhelmed with the complexity of their sound. Especially the saxophone parts lead to a very interesting flavor. So many genres and influences are merged into an over six minute song.

2. Bring Forth the Imperial Ghost

With 3:37 minutes, the second track of the album is significantly shorter than the opener. I am always impressed how well instrumental songs and album still can transport a story. There are quite some rocking parts with hammering riffs, but also very fine elements in here, the breaks between are happening rather suddenly. I really like it.

3. Steadfast (In the Face of Tribulations)

The third song is Steadfast (In The Face of Tribulations). The song starts with a nice contrast of dark chords from the guitar side, almost feeling to battle with accordion and other sounds. This leads to a stunning an interesting atmosphere. There are also less sudden breaks in this track, for example compared to the song before.

4. Misconstruction of the Universe

This song has a very agitated beginning, even though the main hook initially feels rather basic and repetitive. Later in this five minute recording, you also feel elements of jazzy improvisation and progressive rock elements. Compared to other songs in here, I don’t feel the story told by the instruments and the French band that strong, though.

5. Uncommon Grounds

In the fifth song of the album, CKRAFT share their musical take us to the Uncommon Grounds. One key element of this three minute song is the rather long saxophone solo in the first half. It stays being a key instrument of this song and leads to a very jazzy touch. The song feels comparably straight, I really like this three minute listen.

6. Pageantrivia

The sixth track of the album, Pageantrivia, has been one of two tracks which CKRAFT have shared before the album already already. It is one the tracks in which the Medieval influence becomes very obvious. Again, the band works with sudden changes. However, they don’t feel as hard and harsh as in other songs before in here.

7. Swallowed by the Storm

The opening of Swallowed by the Storm could easily also work out for a metal track. However, the contrasting and characteristic elements of the band’s music soon incept as well. This song partially feels a bit too virtuous and chaotic to me, which might nicely reflect the story it is telling.

8. Nostre

The chucker-out Nostre starts slow and hymnic. It could even be a typical intro of one of the typical church songs. However, after some one minute, the metal forces are breaking in and add a lot of force to the song. Special elements like a saxophone solo, which does pop up in the middle of the 5:38 minute track, lead to a very virtuous listen. This almost turns it into a musical essay of the Uncommon Grounds album.

 

CKRAFT – Uncommon Grounds – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

CKRAFT – Uncommon Grounds – My View

The blend of different styles which is defining the music by CKRAFT is clearly unique. This also finally likely turns Uncommon Grounds into an “Love It or Hate It” release. What you cannot argue against, though, is the complexity of their music and the masterful way they deal with their instrumental setup. Even though I would personally maybe not go for their music very frequently, I have to appreciate the quality of the album with a higher rating.

Favorite Song: Uncommon Grounds

 

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