Cryptid hail from Oulu, Finland. But unlike many a metal band coming from that town, Cryptid do not perform dark/goth stuff, but their trade is technical death metal. The band was formed in 2007, and the debut demo 'Illusion of Balance' opens the door into the wicked world of Cryptid for all of us to experience.

Anata, Atheist, Sadist, Sadus... These bands forging technical yet incredibly adhesive music have been mentioned, because Cryptid have kind of similar methods. Not necessarily in song writing or playing-wise, but they surely handle their instruments well and still show more catchiness than aversive quirkiness. Their music is very rhythm-based, but very fluidy. It fluctuates from headbanging to evil brutality and some groovier moments. Fantastic riffs are almost everywhere (the second riff of the first song, one under the first vocal verse, gets very close to the top of my all-time favourite riffs list!), with overwhelming lead parts stealing the show every now and then, as well as that calmer part on the second track (which generally speaking has some kind of East European aura over it, and I don't mean all those Vaders now). The vocals are unchanging, but still good throaty low growling. You almost can hear those adenoids ripping and flying...

The sound is a tad demo-ish, but I still love the sounds that fingers moving on strings make. Generally, it is just a bit hollow, somewhat incoherent, especially the bass is a bit underprivileged in the mix (a fretless one? Just my guess...).

'Thirst' is one of the best songs on any demo release I've ever heard! Just try it out, folks, and you'd be begging for more. Sadly, the band have recorded only two more songs (which are also goodies by any means, but are a tad less catchy). Under twelve fucking minutes of bliss they've given us... Record labels, take heed, because here's some distinctive metal music, suddenly out of nowhere by a new band.

Reviewed by Lane
08/31/2009 19:48