Kraddy – Anthems of the Hero

Sounds of a Superhuman Quest

Glitch-hop pioneer and electronic artist Kraddy dropped his most recent studio album Anthems of the Hero on October 10, 2011. Produced in tandem with Ross Robinson, Anthems of the Hero sounds like a 55-minute soundtrack to a Sci-fi version of Spinal Tap mixed with The Terminator. It’s what you’d expect to hear as background music to Tony Stark, suiting up in full Iron Man armor atop the shoulders of Optimus Prime. With drummer John Theodore and guitarist Cody Volato, the former Glitch Mob artist has created a timeless album that captures the sounds of the progressive electronic beat scene.

The album effectively fuses hard rock beats and guitar riffs with Kraddy’s characteristic glitch-hop style. This is most apparent in what seems to be the strongest track, “The Holy Avenger.” Its larger-than-life sound is the result of recurring high-pitched strings and well placed drum breaks. “Operation Prometheus” achieves a similar, dramatic effect with aggressive synth lines in place of the strings, but there is also an added element of sporadic psychedelic soundscapes. Anthems also features less aggressive tracks like the album’s first single “Black Box” and “Heart Anthem,” yet their driving beats and grand timbre stay true to the album’s overarching tone. And speaking of Tony Stark—Kraddy even includes a mix of Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” making the album’s title all the more appropriate.

From start to finish, Kraddy’s newest studio release sounds like an instrumental retelling of a hero’s most epic badassery. Kraddy is already revered as a monumental force in electronic dance music, and Anthems is another gem in the prolific artist’s trove of masterpieces.