Since its inception in the early 1980s, Thrash Metal has evolved into a very complex genre with various sub-scenes, ever branching out and developing new facets. CRYPTOSIS is the perfect example for this: since their early days as DISTILLATOR, when they played more ‘classic’ Thrash with political or violent topics, they have reformed under a new name and with a brand new style. Still a fairly young band, the three Dutchmen of CRYPTOSIS are now venturing into new fields such as science fiction and play a much more progressive form of Thrash Metal. A dark atmosphere prevails throughout this second full-length album of the band, reminding me more of DIMMU BORGIR than other Thrash outfits during the first two tracks, ‘Faceless Matter’ and ‘Static Horizon’. This impression is backed by the very clear and powerful production and the highly precise drumming in particular, a feature appearing prominently in the songs ‘The Silent Call’ and ‘Motionless Balance’. Adding to the versatility of CRYPTOSIS’ style are solemn, atmospheric parts including a choir (again to be found in ‘The Silent Call’), an entire instrumental in a similarly sombre mood (‘Ascending’) and slower passages alternating with faster ones within the same song (‘Absent Presence’). Of course, there are also more straightforward Thrash songs on the record, such as ‘Reign Of Infinite’, ‘In Between Realities’ and ‘Cryptosphere’. These three, however, also include passages that are stylistically different but have a really dark atmosphere in common. The complexity of this album is not a new feature in Thrash Metal. An openness to other styles and unusual elements within the music that possibly started with VOIVOD in the late 1980s is still influencing youngsters such as VEKTOR and now CRYPTOSIS. What’s also notable is that the members of CRYPTOSIS have all been part of various other bands apart from DISTILLATOR. Drummer Marco Prij in particular seems to be a jack-of-all-trades, with stints as live musician with FIFTH ANGEL, BODYFARM, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, PESTILENCE, ROSS THE BOSS and SKELETAL REMAINS! So if you like musicians who play Thrash Metal thinking outside the box, CRYPTOSIS might just be your thing. Hopefully we will hear a lot more from these talented guys! www.facebook.com/cryptosisnl, www.facebook.com/centurymedia