CRYPTORIUM — Descent into Lunacy (review)

CRYPTORIUM — Descent into Lunacy album cover Album · 2024 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"Descent into Lunacy" is the debut full-length studio album by Swedish death metal act Cryptorium. The album was released through Personal Records in November 2024. It´s the follow-up release to the July 2023 "Cryptic Bloodlust" demo, although a few teaser singles (featuring album tracks) were released in the months leading up to the release of "Descent into Lunacy".

It´s obvious when listening to "Descent into Lunacy", that although two out of the three members of the band also performed on the "Cryptic Bloodlust" demo, Cryptorium have opted for a lot of changes to their sound since the demo. Gone are the blackened snarling vocals and instead the vocals are now death metal growling and even occasionally some effect laden juicy growling (call them whatever you want...). The thin trebly production style found on the demo remains though, which provides "Descent into Lunacy" with a lo-fi production value atmosphere, although it´s more a matter of deliberate production choices than bad quality recording equipment. There are clear nods toward Dismember in the way some of the riffs are constructed and the filthy and murky production values may also be a homage to the early Dismember releases.

Cryptorium don´t quite reach the excellence of their more famous influences though and although I do hear both promise and interesting songwriting ideas in addition to strong musicianship, "Descent into Lunacy" still feels a bit like an unfinished product to me. The ultra raw production job will probably also be an obstacle to some, and I could personally also have wished for a less abrasive sound production. When that is said "Descent into Lunacy" is still a good quality death metal release and a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
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