Artist: Cryptworm
Country: United Kingdom
Label: Extremely Rotten Records / Me Saco Un Ojo Records
Formats: LP / Cassette Tape / CD
Year: 2026
At the very tail-end of 2023 marked the return of one of the UK’s most celebrated modern Death Metal bands, Cryptworm. Following a string of short players and a well-received debut album, the band demonstrated with their second album that they were far from finished developing their sound. And now, just over two years after the release of ‘Oozing Radioactive Vomition’, the trio are back for more, and once again they show that they have taken a significant step forward. In doing so, they not only cement their position as one of the leading British Death Metal bands, but above all, they offer a real treat for the ears of fans of complex and gurgling Death Metal.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem as though much has changed in the now familiar Cryptworm formula; after all, all the elements are present and appear to have ended up in their “usual” places once again. The progression should therefore not be sought so much in a change of style, but in a further refinement of their sound, including a new level of sophistication. However, as has already been demonstrated on previous occasions, these lads are perfectly capable of combining a highly technical and ingenious sound with the ability to write solid songs.
‘Infectious Pathological Waste’ is as much riff-heavy as it is technically proficient, combining the best parts of Demigod, Undergang, Carcass, Autopsy and Demilich into something that should please the fans of old school Death Metal, the tech-nerds and even the Grindcore-infused kind of Death Metal. In 35-minutes, which is a perfect running time for such a vulgar display of power, the band proves that they are capable of writing songs that are rooted in the core values of the aforementioned bands, whilst also putting their own twist on them. The characteristic high-gurgling vocals of Tibor Hanyi (also in Coffinborn and Tyrant Goatgaldrakona, among others, and previously in the brilliant Gravecrusher and Necrosodomy) naturally remain the most reminiscent of Demilich, but to label Cryptorm as a carbon copy really does these fellas a grave disservice.
Simply put: if you loved the band’s previous output, this should be a no-brainer. You’ll definitely hear the steps the band has taken in tightening their sound and a slightly heavier approach, but this is still very much close enough to what we all learned was Cryptworm. If this might be your first encounter, just imagine Demilich and Demigod doing a jam-session and you’ll have quite an accurate picture of what you’re in for. I’m just not too keen on the rather cheap-looking early 00s Brutal Death Metal cover, but then again, you’ve got to find something to complain about, don’t you?
