Electronic Press Kit
(in English, in Dutch here)
“Curse has not been released as an interim, it is an excellent mini-album on which Katie Kruel again demonstrates its central role in being part of a musical tradition typical of Rotterdam. Adding sound to the grit and gray of a big city. A very nice performance.” (Rob Veltman, review about ‘Curse’, here)
“Katie Kruel is a special band. (…) The Rotterdammers tap from a swampy, dark brown, almost black source. (…) gritty, occult rock (…) intriguing album.”(Cok Jouvenaar, review about first album (in Dutch) here)
More recent reviews on homepage
ABOUT
Katie Kruel* – influenced by sludge, stoner, doom and even gothic Americana: Katie Kruel creates its own contemporary unique sound that will pull you through your forbidden fears!
Characterised by a slow seductive rhythm section with a heavy, groove laden bass sound, layered with dark vocals and tough guitar lines, Katie Kruel’s music marks influences of the Melvins’ style of sludge, as well as stoner and even some doom.
The themes of the lyrics and (mostly) warm, laid back style of singing, might show Gothic Americana elements, but you better forget the stifling atmosphere of the U.S. South: Katie Kruel’s realm is firmly set within the oppressive heat of Northern Europe’s darkest urban underbelly!
Katie Kruel is: Nathalie Houtermans (vocals), Hans Dirksen-Smits (guitar), Martin Kooy (bass), Jacob van der Linden (drums)
* Katie Kruel’s name refers to the folksong Katie Cruel, best known for its heartrending rendition by Karen Dalton.
Katie Kruel was founded by Nathalie Houtermans and guitarist Hans Dirksen-Smits, who previously worked together in the occult noise band The Bride (Stripped Bare). Completed with the rhythm section of underground band Spasmodique, they debuted with a first album in 2013. In that year their song ‘Rat of Noises’ also appeared on the double LP‘Punk’s not Deaf’. After replacing the rhythm section (due to the re-establishment of Spasmodique), the EP ‘Curse’ was released in 2016.
With Martin Kooij (ex-Asrai, Vanity 4) on bass and multi-instrumentalist Jacob van der Linden on drums, a new era has arrived for Katie Kruel, with an even stronger and more penetrating sound, both live and on their most recent album ‘The Rise and Fall of Cannibal Planet’. Released for the first time on Seja Records.
Due to Long Covid vocalist Nathalie is currently very restricted in possibilities to record, but she managed to compose an album together with guitarist Hans. More info here
INFO
facebook: http://facebook.com/katie.kruel
twitter: https://twitter.com/KatieKruel
instagram: http://instagram.com/katie_kruel
Listen:
stream: spotify and other streaming platforms
albums: http://katiekruel.bandcamp.com
youtube: http://youtube.com/1katiekruel
soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/katie-kruel
DISCOGRAPHY
Summary, more info and listen here
>Single, title: Katie Kruel’s Crow Sessions, Two legends (2023)
>Single, title: Katie Kruel’s Crow Sessions, Examination of the Womb-Door (2023)
>Album, title: Doomed & Stoned in the NL II (v/a), song: Lover (2020)
>Single, title: Cannibal Planet (2019)
>Single, title: Asphyxiation (2019)
>Album, title: The Rise and Fall of Cannibal Planet (2019)
>Single, title: Lover (2018)
>EP, title: Curse (2016)
>Album, title: Katie Kruel (2013)
>Album, title: Punk’s not Deaf (v/a), song: Rat of Noises (2013)
KRUEL2
Katie Kruel also performs semi-akoustic as Kruel2, more info here
IMAGES
Live images below available in hires, to go to download page at artist card here. Please mention photographer:
image: Sas Schilten
image: Sas Schilten
SILVIA B.
Unless mentioned otherwise or when clearly band images, the headers on the website are works by Silvia B., we were allowed to use for our album ‘The Rise and Fall of Cannibal Planet. She owns the copyright ©. Visit her website here for more info and enjoy her stunning work.