Death metal heavyweights Cryptopsy return to form with their fantastic new EP The Book of Suffering (Tome 1), which is nothing short of a pure, unadulterated audio assault that takes no prisoners. If you prefer your death to focus much more on speed than groove, then you’re in for a treat with The Book of Suffering (Tome 1).
Serving up their first slice of new material since their self-titled album back in 2012, Cryptopsy are returning with a series of EP’s entitled, The Book of Suffering. Their first offering (Tome 1), is a mighty speeding frenzy of ridiculously heavy proportions. The EP verges on both Berzerker and Anaal Nathrakh levels of intensity throughout, minus of course the blackened and industrial sound. Matt McGachy brilliantly showcases his vocal variety on The Book of Suffering, ranging from gripping, guttural growls right through to high pitched screams.
The Book of Suffering has an impressively eerie undertone throughout and would not look out of place as a soundtrack on a James Wan film. The two tracks which possess the most macabre qualities are the latter two Halothane Glow and Framed by Blood. Halothane Glow juxtaposes furiously aggressive technical death metal with a sinister, creepily quiet ending that conjures up images of haunted houses for the listener. Framed by Blood however is a hostile, punchy little number with one powerful, horrifying, closing line in “so you die.” It’s not just the emphasis on horror that makes Framed by Blood such an awesome song, Flo Mounier’s drumming skills on the song are other worldly brilliant, so brilliant in fact that it’s almost hard to believe it’s a human being drumming at some points. His efforts on this EP prove that Mounier is one of the forerunners in extreme metal drumming.
Cryptopsy have returned to form splendidly with The Book of Suffering (Tome 1). The band have offered nothing less than a relentless tour de force of technical majesty with this EP, combining eerily fascinating horror undertones with speed of indescribable proportions, polished aggression and four complete and utter knock out death metal tracks. Cryptopsy have really played their ace card releasing four EP’s instead of one full length album, keeping their fans on their toes eager for the next release, which if it’s even half as good as the first one will be sufficient!
(9/10 Eilish Foxen)
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