UMUR
"Cryptic Bloodlust" is the first demo recording by Swedish death metal act Cryptorium. The demo was recorded at the band's rehearsal space in Orminge, Stockholm, May 13th, 2023, and it was released in July 2023. Cryptorium formed in 2022 and "Cryptic Bloodlust" is the band´s only demo before getting signed for the release of their 2024 debut full-length studio album "Descent into Lunacy". The lineup is a bit mysterious as the person who recorded the drums have asked to be anonymous...the remaining lineup are Knalle Arvidsson (bass, backing vocals) and Fabian Larsen (guitars, vocals).
Stylistically the music is a savage and raw old school death metal style, but the vocals are raw raspy snarling and firmly belong in black metal territory. It´s the only part of the band´s sound which smells like black metal though, although the thin and trebly sound production could also point in that direction. The music itself is death metal though. It´s not particularly interesting or memorable death metal and although Cryptorium can certainly play their instruments and the hateful snarling vocals also make an impact, it all comes off a bit unfinised or maybe just a little immature.
It´s not a bad quality demo, but it´s not a demo which makes my blood boil either. None of the tracks from "Cryptic Bloodlust" would survive to be re-recorded and included on "Descent into Lunacy" (which actually isn´t entirely true as "Schizophrenic" was re-recorded during the sessions, but left off the debut album), and few will probably miss them. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is warranted.
