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Cryptic play a style of Black Metal that has more in common with Death Metal, particularly in its riffing and phrasing, though the vocals are unmistakably Black in nature. The drumming is particularly strong, at times sounding too precise but what band in Extreme Metal does not use triggering? Those that cannot afford it! Seriously, though, the bass is quite low in the mix, again not a surprise for a Black Metal band, but the twin buzzsaw guitars more than make up for this. Vocally, comparisons to Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth) or Mika Luttinen (Impaled Nazarene) would not be unfounded, though this is an American outfit, I think (no liner notes were provided).
Overall, tempos vary from fast to faster, but the use of clean guitar passages to introduce “Battle of the Ancients” (and elsewhere on the album) indicates a higher level of songsmanship. Some of the songs may seem overly long for Black Metal, but an effort towards Epic songs has successfully been made. Cryptic’s Once Holy Realm is varied and crushing from start to finish, replete with guttural Death bellows appearing later on the album.
The CD-R review copy I received may have been of lesser quality than the regular pressing as the sound quality seems to vary per track but there is enough promise here to heartily recommend this to fans of Black Metal that miss Immortal. This would easily fit next to Goatwhore on one’s shelf. For fans of Death Metal that dabble in Black Metal.
Support Cryptic, the American Black Metal scene, and Dark Horizon Records.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Requiem Of Fate |
| 2. Once Holy Realm |
| 3. Onto The Gates |
| 4. Battle Of The Ancients |
| 5. Embraced By Darkness |
| 6. Ageless Winds Of War |
| 7. Bloodsoaked Memories |
| 8. For When The Gods Fail |
: 48.43
| Buy other Cryptic albums |
