Cryptus
|
7/13/2008 8:13:48 AM
CD Review
Black Belle Webzine - Reviews
Unleashing The Mayhem.......
www.blackbellereviews.tk
CRYPTUS-DAWN OF AGES
From Limerick Ireland comes Cryptus with this seven track release 'Dawn Of Ages'.
All the work of one man Austin Buckley who provides all vocals and plays all instruments Cryptus is relatively unique in that it is chiefly a death metal project in opposition to the more prevalent black metal solo outfits, though the spectre of black does fleetingly skip through the work here, in particular on 'End Of Path'.
'Dawn Of Ages' gets off to a good start with one of the stronger tracks of the album, introductory number 'Enslaved' stamping into hearing with a sheaf of riffery which manages to be brutal and catchy simultaneously.
There is a lambasting thunder of drums laying down a heavy framework and Buckley's bestial vocals when eventually they roll into tandem with the music have that deep bubbling quality of the likes of Akercockes Jason Mendonca.
'Enslaved' is strewn with some rippling guitar segments occasionally subdued by changes in tempo and augmentations of forlorn lead breaks, conspicuous among the thicker shapes.
What Cryptus instigator Buckley is belching about is anybody's guess, its an incoherent roar but it sounds suitably malevolent nonetheless, though the fact that the vocal style is carried throughout the whole of 'Dawn Of Ages' with little to no diversification of the voice bar some uncanny screeching moments could inflict tedium upon some extremely discerning listeners.
However the accompanying instrumentation itself does have a tendency to explore variety, at least on the first three tracks, 'Enslaved' exhibiting mostly death metal allegiances but following tracks inject extra influences and hints of other genres.
'End Of Path' is undeniably a DM beast but has traces of black metal guitar winding through the muscle of the track, veins of tremolo being threaded among the sullen growl.
A predilection for thrash also unfurls itself throughout the course of 'Dawn Of Ages', perhaps nowhere more prominent than on the likes of the thumping 'Imperium' where it is actually distinguishable to hear the tracks title growled from within the lyrical and musical fury.
'Imperium' sounds as though it has stubbornly locked death metal together with thrash away in a dark room to let them fight it out and aggressively sort out their differences.
Eventually death metal is the overpowering victor in the tussle emerging on top of the bloody heap with a lancing of brutal grunts and gnashing riffery but the elements of thrash which infuse the track with rigorous discipline are well placed and executed.
My favourite of the lot, though I am partial to intro 'Enslaved' and the thrashy 'Imperium' is the dead centre track of the recording 'Afflicted'.
Neither the heaviest among the seven nor even atypical of the sound Cryptus has cultivated by this stage 'Afflicted' all the same boasts an industrial kind of stomp with an irresistibly militant riff which curiously reminds me of older styled Rammstein.
Vocally it tramples down the same track the majority of others have done with Buckley venting in growls and belching grunts, the mellower delay of the intro prior to the machine gun riffing adding some atmospheric dimensions.
After the first four tracks and therefore more than half the album elapsed the consequential three do possess some interesting and engaging sections and passages but somehow lose a little of the momentum built up by the former.
A few different introductory tactics and styles are utilised, not necessarily for the better but at least a eagerness to tinker and experiment is shown.
The percussion is faded in comparison to earlier tracks and a bit of an indistinct blur at times and the recording quality comes across a fraction muddied.
Shades of Obituary and even vaguely Deicide as well as more obscure death metal outfits along the lines of Ulcer and Sever Agony flitter through the music of Cryptus with clearly some of the old school acts providing inspiration.
A completely unique sound and personal identity hasn't yet been nailed down by Cryptus, something I suppose is to be expected at this point in time considering this is a first up release and a finding of the feet so to speak.
I'm of the belief that Cryptus would possibly work better as a full band rather than a solo project though I do acknowledge this isn't always a feasible option for many musicians either due to lack of like minded possible members, lack of desire to expand to a band just to name a couple of multitudes of reasons.
All in all though 'Dawn Of Ages' is an enjoyable offering, not entirely remarkable but not immediately forgettable.
Broadening this project into a full scale death metal band could be a truly inspiring and damaging prospect.
Track Listing
1. Enslaved
2. End Of Path
3. Imperium
4. Afflicted
5. Annointed
6. Overthrown
7. Open Grave
Austin Buckley-all instruments, all vocals.
Written By Jamie Goforth
©2008 BlackMetalJim
www.blackbellereviews.tk
|
|