Artist: Cryptworm
Album: Spewing Mephitic Putridity
Label: Me Saco Un Ojo Records, Pulverised Records, and Extremely Rotten Productions
Release Date: 11/03/2022
Country: United Kingdom
In the name of all things filthy I summon Cryptworm‘s latest offering Spewing Mephitic Putridity. This is a release that takes the essence behind one of the extreme metal’s most unique and legendary acts Demilich but gives it a brand-new spin featuring far more groove and even more grime. I’m oversimplifying things with that statement but I wanted to establish this idea as the basis for this review.
I want to be clear that I’m not calling this a straight up worship album of Nespithe. I can’t call it that because it simply isn’t true. While the band may have found a basis for their identity in this work, they developed that identity into something unique and equally special. If you are looking for more modern influences present on the album, I would definitely say Undergang and Cerebral rot due to their equal levels of filth and grime. Okay that’s the last time I draw a comparison of any kind in this review, from here on out its nothing but examining what is before me impartially.
Much of the album’s guitar work is presented in an unusual manner with unique time signatures and unpredictable patterns. It’s a blend between OSDM and a strange form of technical death metal, but not in the modern sense of the term. I call it technical in that there or moments of impressive complexity and technicality that don’t follow conventional structures. Other parts of the album feature crushingly heavy and downright filthy guitar work, both in tone and tempo.
Vocally you’ll find a DEEPLY guttural style used throughout the album. I’ve seen this style described as “frogman vocals” online and as stupid as that sounds it makes sense to me. It makes sense because the vocals are in a sense croaky and so guttural that they almost don’t sound human. The rumble over the top of the music almost feeling like another instrument in the mix. At times they also erupt into gurgles and shrieks that add some fantastic dramatic effect.
The two other elements that require praise on the album are the the unrelenting drum work, which keeps a constant sense of rhythm and forward moving energy behind it. While being both heavy and aggressive it doesn’t overpower the music, rather allowing the guitar to take the lead and offering constant support throughout. The bass does much the same, amplifying the level of filth under the guitar but at times shining through on its own.
On the whole, I think that this is one of those albums that is going to end up making a lot of OSDM fans’ OATY lists, it just has that kind of memorability behind it. It’s a refreshing return to all things filthy and crypt dwelling and takes the listener on an audio journey through the muck and mire of the extreme metal world.
Listen to and order the album:
