ALBUM REVIEW: Cryptworm – Oozing Radioactive Vomition

England’s rotten Death Metal masters CRYPTWORM are back with their second full length album. Out on December 15th via Me Saco Un Ojo Records, Pulverised Records and Extremely Rotten Productions.

Those bouncy Autopsy-esque riffs that Cryptworm have always perfectly delivered dive right into a putrid cacophony of mid-tempo Death Metal disgust. Bellowing vocals and hammered drums hit equally grotesquely as the superbly sepulchral guitars weave a web of vomitous dread. Convulsing with those rotten atmospherics that you will know and love if you are familiar with this band, or instantly fall for if this is your first time, instantly grasp with charnel tendrils that pull you into the grave. With the thick, tarry guitar tone and more chunky driven bass, there is a strong production value that is not muddy and ironically feels all the more gruesome as a result. Indeed everything is presented in a clear and yet crushingly brutal manner that follows revoltingly well from their previous works. If the start of this record does not have you enticed, maybe this genre simply isn’t for you as any real barbaric underground maniac will adore it.

The savagery continues in resplendently nauseating fashion, packed with memorable riffs full of groove. Although the guitars are the centre part to my ear (probably because I am a guitarist), the drumming on this record is very strong with plenty of flourishes to keep things fresh. Vocally, the gurgled snarls will certainly please fans of bands such as Undergang, Dr Shrinker and Rottrevore while never feeling too directly borrowed from any individual bands sound. Cryptworm harness a full arsenal of traditional brutality and unleash it with no remorse. Count yourself lucky if you can withstand such a slaughtering display of sonic sadism for it is certainly not a lightweight record.

Altogether the grooves take a foreground position, but it would be remiss not to talk about the moments of gloomy atmospherics that give the album a bit more dimension than just being “cool and gross” sounding. There is a graven feeling to this record that feels more in keeping with Finnish bands like Abhorrence and Rippikoulu, while never losing the gory hooks that lacerate you at any given moment. Reeking with a fetid odour, the entire album feels like a perfect amalgamation of all things old school Death Metal without being derivative, contrived or tiresome. Rather a love letter to the classics in a refreshing package, something Cryptworm have gotten right since day one and continue to do so marvellously. Every song is a pleasure to listen to and works in the context of the record, pummelling out pure visceral carnage at an alarming yet impressive rate. No complaints from me, keep up the unrelenting and maniacally dedicated attitude!

An ossuary of Death Metal delights that is yet another triumph from this magnificently old school underground stalwart. Personally Cryptworm is by far my favourite new English Death Metal band (as in since Adorior, Grave Miasma, Cruciamentum, Lvcifyre etc) and a forerunner for keeping the genre true and unhindered by hardcore, hipster-isms or any other falsehood. Just pure rotten glory of the highest quality. If you seek the real putrescent extremity of old, rather than beatdown hiding behind a morbid aesthetic, this is the genuine article.