Search - Cryptopsy :: Blasphemy Made Flesh

Solid debut

The Pitiful Anonymous | the Acres of Skin | 04/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Cryptopsy's debut is 10 energetic tracks of standard death metal, with a few qualities that put it ahead of similar music. Some basic elements of later albums are here- tremolo picked riffs, the blastbeating and the grunts of Lord Worm (whose voice is not as developed here as the inhuman howl on "None So Vile", at this point it sounds fairly typical).



The production is crappy but honestly there's no Cryptopsy album that's really produced well, except maybe "And Then You'll Beg..." (I haven't heard it). The guitars in the low ranges are too thin for the notes to be audible over some of the more high-speed beats. The bass playing is very audible for once, actually, which is a plus- there's some very quick, great playing on here.



So what sets this album apart? Well, the lyrics for one are hilarious and clever throughout. Who but Lord Worm would come up with lines like "I just want to hold your pretty hand / The rest of you can be dissolved in acid." They're often sincerely disgusting but don't take themselves seriously at all (always one of Worm's best attributes as a death metal vocalist). Honestly entertaining to read, far above the pseudo-sinister/psychopath bravado of Chris Barnes.



Next, there's some great melodic guitar harmonies placed tastefully through this album, some great solos. "Abigor" has a geniunely haunting middle section, sounding more progressive than anything. "Serial Messiah" has some more great harmonies.



Furthermore, many of the tracks on this album absolutely rock, some of the best headbanging material there ever was. "Defenestration", "Serial Messiah" and "Born Headless" are the standouts to me, chunky, blistering riffs, occasionally slowing down drastically to massive, weighty effect. Cryptopsy's songwriting skills even at this stage were fairly advanced. Each song has interesting transitory licks, tempo changes, and about 5 different (often great) riffs.



Flo Mounier's drum performance here is standout like on every Cryptopsy album, going far beyond the call of duty for music of this nature. There are simple blast beats, but there's a surprising wealth of different ideas he brings in. "Gravaged" has some truly crazy and creative rhythms.



The playing is incredibly tight, there's one point in the album where the whole band literally stops in a millisecond for a brief pause and comes back in with more devastating riffage.



The vocals occasionally shine. They really do sound devilish. They're totally indecipherable like "None So Vile", but "Open Face Surgery" has a 30 second scream. Name another vocalist who can do THAT...



The songs are all very much similar, and that is the album's greatest weakness. If you're in the mood for some great ultra-heavy music, you can't go wrong here though. I'd love to see any of these songs live.



If you're a fan of old school death metal, this is recommended. The best idea is still to start with their classic "None So Vile", but these 2 albums are different enough for owning both to be worth it.



For those who enjoy a more progressive / technical slant on things, check out their albums with their second vocalist, Mike DiSalvo (particularly "Whisper Supremacy") or their new album "Once Was Not" (a masterpiece)."

Close Your Eyes...This May Hurt A Lot!

Feathers Fell | 253 | 08/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cryptopsy blew me away the first time I listened to them. It's like a mix of grindcore mixed with technical death and jazz. It's unbelievable. And this is the album that started it all.



"Defenstration" has some of the best bass lines you'll ever hear in music. And Flo Mounier is an unhuman blastbeat guy! Lord Worm, even though you can't understand the majority of his lyrics, fits in well with the band. Mike DeSalvo ("Whisper Supremacy" and "And Then You'll Beg" vocalist) is decent and all, but Lord Worm fits more perfectly.



You need this album, whether it's brutal death, tech death, or grindcore that fits your fancy."

Am i missing something?

StreetwiseSonOfABitch | San Diego | 11/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I seriously can't hear the bad production on this cd. maybe its weaker than some other bands production (Origin) and maybe even some of their OWN albums (once was not) but the sound is really tight, and it makes it much more enjoyable to listen to.



Lord Worm is what got me into this band when i had a chance to see them live. I never really took a shine to them before i saw him become this undeniable presence on that stage. I was blessed by lord worm, my friend ate the worm, and threw up later that night.



I love them for everything theyve given me and the death metal scene.

Memories, a great front-man, and great music that helps the rest of us get through our lives.



highly recommended.

along with none so vile

ungentle exhumation (which really is worth it, although short)

and once was not (aka flo jacking off behind a drum set)"