Rating: 7.1

Country: USA

Release Date: 2005

Record Label: Razorback Records

Track list:
1. Death Toll
2. Bonescraper
3. Mortificus
4. The Crypticult
5. Cyclops Throne
6. Splatterstorm
7. Tales of the Necrosopher
8. Cadaverous Invaders
9. Haunted Vomitorium
10. Necroborg
11. Cryptrap
12. Echoes of the Macabre

Band Website: Crypticus

Crypticus - Dedicated To The Impure

Patrick E. Bruss - Six String Garotte, Black Speech,
(De)composing & Capturing of Forbidden Tunes

Reworking classic death metal ideas can be just as risky as going out on a limb to be different. If either approaches misfire then the best that can be hoped for is cult underground status. This Crypticus album actually sounds like a forgotten gem from the past rather than a lacklustre retro parade. The low tuning, neatly integrated guttural vocals and occasional blasting drums do not destroy this impression but add to its perceived rarity value.

A cheeky horror intro precedes an appetising series of teaser riffs; a bit of Carnage, some prickly chords, blackened death tremolo picking and phased guitar over nasal clanging bass leading into death 'n roll of the timeless kind. So why in hell did the band choose to kick start the cesspit vocals with a drab momentum-killer like "Bonescraper"? It may be less than 100 seconds long but when you play predominantly 4/4 at a mid-paced tempo it has to have a bit more intensity! Ignore this track and go to "Mortificus" that has a grubby verse dirge with up-tempo spasms, a vaulting rhythm and a blackened imperious passage in the vein of Gehenna.

"Cyclops Throne" rekindles the death 'n roll and Carnage of the intro. "Cadaverous Invaders" brings forth a strong dose of archetypal thrash that remains throughout the rest of the album (most noticeably in the last track, with its early Schuldiner-esque/Judas Priest catchiness). "Necroborg" is the most progressive of these minimalist tracks, with its savage and excited riffing. It also has a brazen horror climax underpinned by a synthesised haunted choir as used by Darkthrone in their pre-black 'Soulside Journey'.

I can see this ancient beast lumbering its way into quite a few listeners' affections.

January 6th, 2006