Cryptosis are a extreme metal band from the Netherlands and this is their second album.
Following on from 2021’s well-received Bionic Swarm, Cryptosis are now back with the 42-minute face ripper Celestial Death. I am of the opinion that a black metal touch makes everything better. Cryptosis seem to agree.
Celestial Death finds Cryptosis in an evolved state. The band’s old-school thrash heart has been augmented by extensive cybernetics, sending their modern thrash metal attack far into the future. Their thrash metal onslaught is paired with sci-fi keyboards and progressive dynamics effectively, making for songs that sound huge and impactful.
The bedrock of thrash metal we encountered on Bionic Swarm is largely intact, albeit in an enhanced, altered form. The progressive elements have deepened and there’s a newly cinematic sheen. Darker, with richer atmosphere, there’s an undeniably blackened feel to this new material. You could, should you so desire, call this something as long winded as blackened symphonic progressive death/thrash metal. And why not, eh?
The songs are well-written and structured with skill. There is a complexity to the material that has moved beyond the riffs themselves, and a layered intricacy that invites listeners to dig deeper into the band’s newly expansive soundscapes. The sharp riffs, emotive melodies, harsh vocals, satisfying drums, and walls of keyboards all work together to produce songs that hit the spot. I like the drumming in particular, and the leads deserve special mention too.
Celestial Death appeals to me greatly. I love thrash, (although there’s too much generic pap around these days), and this album takes that classic sound and beefs it up with all manner of progressive, blackened, and symphonic elements. It’s a release that’s hard to complain about too much, well it is for me anyway. Even the filler intro and interlude tracks actually add to the album as a whole, against all expectations, (although the lacklustre final outro isn’t really worth its 3-minute running time).
Celestial Death is the sound of Cryptosis ascending a level, and the results are strong. This is really good stuff. This scratches that thrash itch, but also offers more than that. Cryptosis have balanced instant appeal extremity with well-crafted depth and substance. Celestial Death is enjoyable and satisfying, and reveals itself with further repeat listens with ever increasing rewards.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 