EP Review: KRATE - The Last Shape That We Made
- Canis Lewis
- 58 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A unique and quite different listen here with KRATE and 'The Last Shape That We Made'.
This is a FINE selection of 5 very different tracks to excite the minds of those looking for something out of the oridnary, something new, something bold, and crafted artfully.
Take a listen to one of the most interesting EP's around right now!
The final swarm has arrived
Five collaborations forged in friendship, talent and the love of music.
Ranging from the opening punishing electro-industrial assault of 'Crawl Back In' to the luscious southern gothic notes of the closer 'Edgeland', this is once again an ode to all the shades of the electronic music spectrum.
This is it. The last shape. The final swarm. Let the voices ring loud and far.
credits
released July 10, 2026
Production - Roland Zwaga
Mastering - Chase Dobson
Cover Art - Koen Caerels (koen.caerels.art)
Cover Layout - Choi Wong (choiwong.nl)
All praise to the collaborators:
Yvette Winkler (Vaselyne), Mike Reidy (W.O.R.M.), Kalle Lindberg (Cardinal Noire, Protectorate), Frederik Vorderhake (Frake, Liquid Black Goo), Jan Van Coppenolle (Numbered Men) and Chase Dobson (Curse Mackey, Cellar Graves, Apocryphal Throne)
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Review
The introduction of 'Crawl Back In' reminds me of sci-fi alien shooter games from the 90s, and with the vocals that growl and distort in equally old school fashion that bring an intensity of horror, and oppression.. Old school EBM industrial style. In a way it reminds me of the very first days of 3TEETH with way the slow heavy drums, erratic synths, and strained vocals bringing a clear edge of chaos to the track, but also clearly, a lot of passion.
'Pulling The Wings Off Happiness' is a soft spoken confrontation with deceit. It has an ambient sense of psychosis with different piece of music getting thrown in from time to time, from oriental string instruments, squealing guitar, to tempo and genre changing drums, and more. At around 2:30 the track swings into a sense of a 'musical' and some of the vocal twangs are even reminiscent of Jonathan Davies of KORN. The chilled echoing out of the track gives a weird sense of something spiritual. yet deeply insane..
Don't act like you're such an angel or I'll cut off your wings
'Some Set Forth To Conquer Sadness' builds slowly, from a quiet guitar, the odd synth, and whispers disturbing the silence. At 1:48 the guitar becomes subtly more prevalent and the feeling suddenly switches from ambient to that of post-rock, this is peppered by more glitchy synths, and eventually an orchestral string addition.
It is all subtle, yet masterfully mixed I must say, there has clearly been a lot of thought put in to this track. I feel like it's the kind of track you would get in a scene of 'The Expanse' or an equally good sci-fi when something disturbing and alien was slowly being revealed in the plot. A brilliant 'chill-out' track.
Now for something a bit more cinematic and epic with 'The Hand That Feeds' The sense of grandeur, importance, and even tribal rhythm creates quite the atmosphere. When the almost choir like vocals present themselves, the track starts to take on that slight heaven vs hell, or even Warhammer 40k sense of grandiosity. Strings add their weight to the last third of the track, and again voices, whispers, and something on the edge of a sanity almost lost. This really is a thought provoking track and belongs in a Devil May Cry game.
Closing off the EP, 'Edgeland' takes us in a whole different genre direction again. This track takes on the spoken storytelling style of American soft rock wrapped in Southern Gothic. Broken up by a short piano section, the track starts to feel a little psychedelic and retro as the monologue continues, then out of nowhere, a smooth sung end section adds a chilled and unexpectedly uplifting high point for the EP to end on.
Conclusion
Krate have offered up a very interesting selection of electronic genres with 'The Last Shape That We Made' - that is reminiscent of a fine drink tasting session, or a high-class music club presenting their eclectic mix of experimental offerings.
That is to say, this is one for those who like something different, who enjoy the intrigue, and knowledge held within such artistic pieces.
I find this EP to be a wonderful and charming offering to the altar of alternative music, and I truly believe that many a discerning mind would enjoy hearing this EP out.
Thank you!
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