So open-minded that it becomes closed-minded - A review of And Then She Came's KAOSYSTEMATIQ

Krypteria was an imaginative symphonic gothic metal band that slowly faded away in the beginning of the decade. Four of the band members joined forces for a new group called And Then She Came. The eponymous debut released two years ago was already quite experimental with numerous genre influences such as alternative rock, gothic metal and groove metal as well as lyrics in English, French, German and Spanish. It's hard to believe that the band's sophomore release KAOSYSTEMATIQ is even more experimental but that's the case. While the previous album had massive hits and misses, this release has more misses in my book and can't be categorized as gothic metal anymore. And Then She Came offers a confusing mixture of alternative rock, contemporary pop music and even occasional rap elements. This new direction might attract a larger fan base but it certainly isn't my cup of tea.

The only thing I like about the new record are the melodic and passionate vocals by German-Korean front singer Cho Ji-in who is one of the most talented and underrated vocalists in the entire German rock genre. Her great vocals can't save this record however. The main issue is the song writing that is all over the place. Industrial metal song ''The Battle Rages On'' is followed by danceable pop song ''Come On, Come On''. Rhythm and blues track ''White Dog'' including odd rap passages leads into melancholic modern alternative rock track ''I Just Cannot Trust Myself''. Nothing fits together and the record lacks any type of structure, concept or coherence. KAOSYSTEMATIQ sounds like a compilation of eleven singles by eleven completely different bands fronted by the same singer. Even if the title of the record might indicate that this could have been the band's purpose in the first place, it doesn't justify the annoying final result.

On a side note, the weak production focused on vocals, samples and keyboard sounds is equally all over the place as the song material since the drums sound dry and robotic, the guitars powerless and uninspired and the bass guitar inaudible if there is any at all.

The band's new style is just as confusing as can be witnessed on the overloaded album cover and in several music videos in which one of the most beautiful women I have ever met in person looks like an eccentric extraterrestrial.

Even open-minded listeners can reach a point when an experimental approach simply becomes a confusing experience. This is exactly the case for And Then She Came's KAOSYSTEMATIQ. The numerous positive reviews of this odd album seem to be fake. I will give this release ten percent for the great vocals and another ten percent for its blind courage to combine anything with everything for a completely experimental approach. However, I would neither recommend this record to anyone nor listen to it again. While the predecessor showed lights and shades, this release is very disappointing. Let's hope Krypteria will reunite one day and release a coherent metal record at some point. Until this might or might not happen, I won't waste any more of my precious time giving And Then She Came a chance and you shouldn't either because it's not worth it.

Final rating: 20%