Keystone Sessions: Volume 1 is pretty sick. From the very first sound, Craetor knock it out of the park. They journey to some wild and dark places with sick guitar work and hovering vocals in a distant background. Keystone Sessions: Volume 1 sucks you into their sonic space—dirty, maddening, hysterical, and constant evolving. They places you in an underground rock venue past midnight where the ghosts and truth come out to play. Disobedient improv and introspective soundscapes. There’s nothing you can say or do to undo what this band does to you because they are simply that good.

With Keystone Sessions: Volume 1, the vibe is escalating through the four tracks like a subconsciously channeled beast. “Villager” astonishes you with their committed drastic rock energy. “Ender” climbs to a new hight, channeling Darth Vader before they burn everything to the ground. “Obsidian” opens another level of otherworldliness. “Stone” then builds on the noise and the madness with newly emerged wrenching melodic lines as if they are torn to be shown. It’s grungy and even darker. Instead of restless metal splattering rock battles, the track has more contrasts and emotional vulnerability than the rest.

Instead of an EP with four tracks, Keystone Sessions: Volume 1 feels more like a 16 more minutes epic rock jam. Everything seems to be authentically and organically tuned to a continuing storytelling. It’s better than drugs and healthier for your mind and body. They hit some sweet spots with their “ugly,” fuzz-dazed, extreme noise-spitting soundscapes. Rapid, ever-deteriorating guitar work and the haunting, die-or-alive vocal and the confrontational, self-conflicting drum collectively become the soul that soars through the name Craetor.

The history of punk rock teaches us to never overlook what a three-piece band can do. The West Massachusetts-based band sounds fuller and more inventive than an orchestra. It’s hard to believe the huge volume and epic work they created are from only three people. It’s simply incredible. Whether you’re here to get lost in the music or to admire out-the-world guitar solos, Craetor is the band for you.

Keystone Sessions: Volume 2 is coming out in March 2023. Stay tuned!