Solo albums are becoming more and more used by musicians as they can’t express all their ideas on their main bands, or by musicians who had other plans in mind. Anyway, the inner value of such works is to have different ideas being transformed in music, and such diversity can be found on “Astrometal”, the EP released by Chilean guitarist J. P. Krom.

J. P. is widely known for his connections to genres as Gothic Rock, Folk Metal and Dark Metal (it’s not a mere coincidence to have the band as opening act to MOONSPELL on past April), but here on this EP things become a chaotic and wide range of influences that can point to Symphonic Metal, Hard Rock, Glam Metal (yes, Glam Metal), Heavy Metal and others, always under a melodic sheath that’s hard to resist to (especially due excellent choruses), and touches of melancholy. Of course that names as TYPE O’ NEGATIVE, MOONSPELL, PARADISE LOST, NIGHTWISH, WITHING TEMPTATION, HIM, EVANESCENCE, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and others can serve as references, but don’t bound yourself by them, because these songs are filled with personality and energy, and a clear refreshing appeal.

The production is signed by J. P. himself, having Erick Martinez working on the recordings, mixing and mastering. And in a rare feature on Chilean Metal acts (for the experience of this writer with Chilean Metal releases), the choice lays on a defined and clean sonority where everything is clearly understandable (the keyboards can be heard without great efforts), but obviously it’s heavy and aggressive as well. And the artwork of José Canales shows the esoteric appeal that J. P. is up to, linked to astrology, tarot and other symbols. Musically, these six songs are amazing, each one of them presenting moments of pure joy to the listeners.

“Luna Plutón” comes in a Dark Metal/Gothic Metal way (experience the moments where bass guitar and vocals are alone), filled with excellent and accessible melodies, with the lyric is obviously on Spanish and excellent arrangements on guitars and keyboards. On “Woman Hermit”, some accessible features of Hard Rock, Gothic Rock andGlam Metal can be felt on the mix of influences, once again with excellent guitar riffs. Into a more melancholic tendency inherited from Gothic Rock comes “I Tried”, where keyboards gives such feeling, but where bass guitar and drums are working in a great way on the rhythms. And “Breaking the Walls” has a feeling that brings the mind back to the 80s accessible songs of the radio, and it’s a song that catches the fans at the first hearing.

Back to a stronger influence into Gothic Rock comes “You & I”, a song filled with more Gothic Rock traditional vocals, and with a clear melancholic temper on the instrumental lines. And closing the EP, “I Don’t Feel Love” is a refined and deep song with a mix of influences between Industrial Rock and Gothic Rock, displaying the ample range of elements of J. P.’s music.

After listening to “Astrometal” many times (and after being able to stop listening to it, because such release becomes an addiction), one will ask to have access to other J. P. Krom’s works for sure!

Listen to it: https://sptfy.com/jpkrom_astrometal