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- ALBUM REVIEWS -
- C -
- Cryptik Howling [2009] Them -
Label: Cryogenic Records
Review by Mark Howitt
RATING: 8.5 \m/
Cryptik Howling have been playing Northern Black Metal for some time now, even in their early beginnings with some of the members other project “Black Empire”. Cryptik Howling have come along way since their beginnings and even since their debut release “Vitium Intus” from 2006. I was initially very impressed with their work and accomplishments on “Vitium Intus” so this new slab of Cryptic Darkness was truly an anticipated moment as I had heard the band play some newer materials live at shows in Sudbury and their hometown of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
I got to hear a rough mix of “Them” well before the albums initial release at an after party with Wolven Ancestry and Cryptik Howling and to be honest I was completely annihilated as I usually am at these type of events, so I could not remember anything specific, only that the production was stellar and that the songs sounded a lot heavier.
Upon receiving a copy of “Them”, I finally had the time to focus on the music and see what our Northern friends have been up to and instantly I was floored. Could this be the same band from 2006? It certainly is and I must say their progression is scary to be honest. Arrangements and overall intensity are much more chaotic and tight now, along with the production being way up as well. The songs are much more focused and I hear a great Emperor and Windir type influence in the songs this time around. The album was produced at Northern Studio by Yannick St-Amand and mastered at Wild Studio by Pierre Remillard. The outcome is crushing.
From the opening track of Grievous it is apparent that the melodic and keyboard based approach used on “Vitium Intus” is less apparent, however it is still noticeably there and adds to the ambience and darkness as it should. Scarification is also a personal favourite track of mine. “Them” is a more direct album in a lot of ways which seems to work well for the band. This album is on the verge of something fresh, a cusp of black metal genius and when a third album is completed I am guessing that Cryptik Howling will become a household name for Black Metal, not only in Canada but abroad as well. Horns Way Up!
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