Chrystal Slur make heavy psych with Joakim Karlsson on bass and vocals and Johannes Rytzler on drums. The duo from Eskilstuna, Sweden, released their debut single, "Chrystal," on November 13, 2026. It was also the first song they wrote for a debut EP planned to run to five or six tracks, giving them an early outline of what they could build with two instruments and a voice.
Their recording took them from a room filled with old drums to the woods. Bass and drums were recorded at Mementorepan, their rehearsal space and a drum repair workshop, while the vocals were recorded outdoors. In the exchange below, the band explain how a simple bass idea developed when the drums entered, and why the relationship between the chorus riff and the vocal melody made "Chrystal" their choice for a first release.
Three questions
(1) Doomnation Radio: What made "Chrystal" the song you wanted people to hear first from the band?
Chrystal Slur: "Chrystal" was the first song we wrote for our upcoming debut EP, so it felt natural to release it first. We really like how straightforward the verse is. It has a simple, direct feel, while the bass riff in the chorus is much more infectious and fits the vocal melody perfectly. That contrast is a big part of why we find the song so catchy. It also introduces the core of Chrystal Slur: bass, drums and vocals creating a big sound without any guitar.
(2) DR: Where does "Chrystal" sit in the material you are writing now? If it belongs to a planned EP or album, what role does it play there?
Chrystal Slur: "Chrystal" is the first single from our debut EP, which we plan to make five or six songs long. All the tracks share our sound (distorted bass, driving drums and a raw, psychedelic edge), but each song has its own personality. We don't want to write the same song over and over. "Chrystal" opens the door to our music with its direct verse and a chorus where the bass riff and vocal melody really work together. The EP will show other sides of the band as well.
(3) DR: How did the bass part change when you began working on "Chrystal" together with the drums? Could you take us through one change that shaped the finished song?
Chrystal Slur: It started as a simple bass idea, but when we played it together with the drums, the whole song suddenly had a great groove. The way the drums and bass locked together gave it the momentum it needed. The verse stayed quite simple and straight to the point, while the chorus really came alive through the catchy bass part and the vocal melody. Rather than filling the arrangement with more instruments, we focused on how the bass and drums could carry the song together. We recorded bass and drums at Mementorepan, our rehearsal space and a drum repair workshop full of old vintage drums, parts and dust. The vocals were recorded outdoors in the woods. We like the contrast between those two environments.
Listen to Chrystal Slur's "Chrystal".
