KRYSTHLA isn't a band who believe in waiting around. It's only been a year since their debut "A War Of Souls And Desires" and they've already completed this follow-up. "Peace In Our Time" is a harsh and uncompromising record from the nastier end of the Djent scene. There are syncopated rhythms, harsh vocals and an almost Black-Metal moodiness to these eight tracks so getting through it in one sitting is a serious challenge. Stick with it though because this is an album that rewards repeat listens, even if it's hard to see the forest for the apocalypse on the first attempt. First track "The Minor Mystery Of Death" begins with the sort of ominous riff normally associated with eldritch beings of unspeakable horror rising from the oceanic depths and it only gets worse from there. One minute in and it turns into a raging onslaught of high speed brutality, complete with a monolithic breakdown/guitar solo combo. It's a highly impressive opener and it's followed by the equally nasty "Yawm Al Qiyamah." Like a head-on collision between MESHUGGAH and DECAPITATED, this one is equal parts anger and musical skill that only increases in vehemence as it goes on.

"Depths" follows and once the somber introductory passage is done, it gets just as viciously energetic as the opening duo. It's also about this point that it starts to feel a bit monotonous. The songs have been largely similar and the blistering pace does need some variation, especially the vocals of Adi Mayes which consist of loud shouting and not much else. But then "Depths" reaches the three minute mark, everything slows down dramatically and a serene instrumental sequence leads into another grinding Djent breakdown. It's not a drastic change of flavour by any means, but it puts just another light into the shade to keep things interesting. Elsewhere, "Make Disciples Of The Nations" is another thunderous injection of raw carnage, while the mid-paced "Within The Lie Of All Lies" makes a refreshing-but-still-heavy break from the everlasting barrage of noise surrounding it. However, they save the biggest about-turn for the final song. "Eternal Oceans" is eight and a half minutes of screams, atmospherics and riffs so slow that glaciers could outrun them. It's bleak, foreboding and occasionally feels like an incredibly depressed GOJIRA, but it's also the most eyebrow-raising track on here.

It's a satisfying left-field end to an album that largely focuses on straight-up violence. It's an incredibly brutal listen and any hope of a clean chorus to offer respite forever goes unanswered, but "Peace In Our Time" is still worth investing in. It's a dense and invigorating blast of adrenaline where repeat listens reveal a lot more variation than is initially obvious. Keep an eye on KRYSTHLA, there's more going on with these boys than you might think.