With the Gothic Metal scene taking shape during the 1990s, many pioneers emerged from Europe, such as England’s Paradise Lost and Portugal’s Moonspell, but Germany’s Crematory stood alongside them.
Formed in 1991, Crematory has over three decades of consistency with the foundation of Drummer/Programming Markus Jüllich, Lead Vocalist Felix Stass, and Keyboardist Katrin Jüllich. Initially coming out with their more Death Metal album Transmigration in 1993, with a yearning to expand their sound, they immediately shifted to a darker sound with their 1994 album …Just Dreaming. A turning point for the band, since that time, they have steadily progressed.
Their sound regularly shifts directions, exploring Doom, Industrial, and Gothic Metal elements. Often mixing them all into one hybrid, there are many compelling dips and dives throughout the story of Crematory, with many fans having their favorite eras to look back on. For some, there was brilliance in 2000’s Believe and 2004’s Revolution, while others turned to later material such as 2018’s Oblivion. Whatever it might be, there is no question that Crematory has been one of the longest-running and most prolific bands on the international Gothic Metal scene.
With all that in mind, Crematory released the extremely impressive Inglorious Darkness in 2022. Combining irresistible Gothic Metal melodies with a rediscovered heaviness, Inglorious Darkness had many highlights, but three years later, Crematory is back with an album called Destination. Released on May 2, 2025, through the band’s new label ROAR (a division of Reigning Phoenix Music), the core three of Markus Jüllich, Felix Stass, and Katrin Jüllich (joined by long-time Guitarist Rolf Munkes and new Bassist Oliver Revilo) once again mix it up with Destination. With so much experience, this new album finds them quickly turning back the clock. Revisiting a sound heard on 1995’s Illusions, which saw them mix Death Metal guitar riffs with saturated keyboards and full-bodied, harsher vocals, there is also a feeling of others, such as the aforementioned Revolution.
Considering all this, Destination has plausible energy, and with twelve songs, many dark corners of the mind are uncovered. Once again, produced by Markus Jüllich, the dynamics are impeccable, balancing the heavy guitars and keyboards, without making it too overly polished.
With these factors assisting in making everything feel that much grittier, there are many mesmerizing songs like the hard-hitting title track, the simply haunting “The Future Is A Lonely Place,” and “Deep In The Silence.” These are joined by “After Isolation,” “Banished Forever,” and “Toxic Touch,” which are Gothic Metal with teeth and memorable hooks. Then, of course, there is a fun cover of Type O Negative’s “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend,” which features a guest spot from End of Green’s Michelle Darkness.
Overall, Destination is a lively collection that shows Crematory is still as inspired as ever and was intent on writing some incredibly poignant compositions. These songs are dark while drenched with menacing concepts about life, death, and everything. Complemented by one of Felix Stass’s best vocal performances, mixing the harsher and cleaner vocals, Destination is Gothic Metal at its finest. That is why Cryptic Rock recommends it, giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
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