And then, it was there: the new Cryptopsy album, entitled ‘Once Was Not’. Five years after the release of their previous studio album ‘And Then You’ll Beg’ (not counting the ‘None So Live’ album), extremity will be pushed further once again. At least, that’s what I’m expecting. For as you know (and if you don’t, you should have your kneecaps removed), Cryptopsy are among the (if not the) leaders of extreme and technical musical mayhem. Intense, over the top, and magnificent extremity are just a few things that pop into my head when thinking of Cryptopsy. These are things that probably sound recognizable to you too.
Things have changed within Cryptopsy. Martin Lacroix, the replacement for Mike DiSalvo who appeared on the live album, is no longer with the band. He has been replaced by none other than Lord Worm, the original vocalist of the band! Another change is that guitar beast Jon Levasseur is no longer with the band either. So Cryptopsy remains a four-piece band now.
Four members that create brutality as if they were an entire horde. You’d almost say that the return of Lord Worm made the band even more twisted than before, as the music on ‘Once Was Not’ has got way more insane twists and turns and bizarre approaches than their previous releases. Just listen to the weird break in the opening song ‘In The Kingdom Where Everything Dies, The Sky Is Mortal’, the jazzy ‘Cadaver Dogs’, the guitar heckling in ‘Adeste Infidelis’, or the very cool yet never-heard-before double bass run on ‘The Curse Of The Great’. These are just a few examples of the madness on this recording. On ‘Once Was Not’, Cryptopsy goes two ways: back to the past, and a step into the future. I hear shreds from ‘Blasphemy Made Flesh’ through to ‘And Then You’ll Beg’, and then a musical step forward, pushing the extreme musical boundaries even further than before. At times it’s just high-class whirlwinding Death Metal that you’re listening to, whereas other times it’s pure extreme brilliance or the exploration of new grounds. Something I personally thought was pretty good is that Cryptopsy uses quite a few samples and intros on this album. This gives the music an even more ominous character. With that come the fastest blasts I’ve ever heard (listen to ‘Carrionshire’ and ‘Angelskingarden’), alongside a guitar and bass that create amazing riffs, solos, and breaks. This time there is even room for some melancholic melody (‘The Pestilence That Walketh In Darkness [Psalm 91: 5-B]’). However, this is just a one-off, as there’s actually no friendly moment on this release, just plain old hatred and violence. Extreme, plain old hatred and violence.
“Over the top,” I hear a lot of people say, and I must agree with that, as sometimes it’s quite hard to follow what the band is doing exactly. Hysteria, chaos, and noise. Still, it takes more than a few listens for some to hear the structure in Cryptopsy’s music and to find the common thread. This is an extreme band with a unique sound, and ‘Once Was Not’ can be one hell of a tough cookie for some. Yet it’s also an album with numerous “hidden” surprises, things you don’t hear at first listen. That’s one of the things that make this album very interesting to listen to. Other aspects are their insane musical abilities and the sheer energy that they can produce.
I do want to say that, although the sound is good, I would have mixed the guitars further to the front. ‘Once Was Not’ sounds more drum-orientated than previous albums, and especially with one guitar player, I would have handled this differently. Looking on the bright side, you can hear what the lunatic battery man Flo is doing quite well. Moreover, I’m still not sure whether I like Lord Worm’s new vocal style. One moment I’m thinking, “Yeah, I like these hoarse growls and desperate screams,” yet at other times I want to hear his deep gurgles. I am not really convinced yet, and actually I think I never will be. You can decide for yourself.
Yes, a new Cryptopsy that will keep tongues wagging. I’ve read good reviews, excellent reviews, and bad reviews. Everybody has an opinion, of course. If you’re reading this one, you know Cryptopsy, and you know Cryptopsy means brutal musical madness. Fans of straightforward Death Metal will poke their eardrums with sharpened pencils, for instance. This goes a few steps further than most bands, and that’s what I like. I too have to “get into” their music to find the common thread. Once I do, however, you begin to discover more and more details in Cryptopsy’s music, which make each album a unique experience. Fans should definitely go for it, curious listeners should dare to take the step, and non-believers should be exorcised. Insanity reigns supreme. Controlled insanity. If it can’t be extreme and technical enough for you, I advise you to get your ass to the record shop as soon as possible, as ‘Once Was Not’ now definitely is!
