Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Cryptosis - Bionic Swarm (2021)
Whether living your life personally or professionally, you are bound to reconsider and change your path. Man's best creative achievements include artistic experimentation and renewal. Our evolution is much different from that of other creatures, with tons of changes that define who we are. After the fall of the somewhat unknown Distillator, this Dutch trio of metallers (vocalist/guitarist Laurens Houvast, bassist Frank te Riet, and drummer Marco Prij) did what the creators of Phineas and Ferb did after their show ended; start a new one! This time, they altered the thrash destruction of Distillator and took it a step forward into a futuristic progressive style to create... Bionic Swarm!
Meanwhile, American prog-thrashers Vektor reformed with a slightly different style, and both bands' changes were first exhibited in their split album Transmissions of Chaos. With the first Cryptosis album Bionic Swarm, there are a few things different from the usual thrash including Frank's mellotron synths creating ethereal ambience for the futuristic concept. This progressive thrash approach includes hardcore/death metal overtones surrounded by symphonics.
An ambient "Overture 2149" sets up the mood needed for the album. Then "Decypher" begins the prog-thrash action in a perfect blast, welcoming fans to the band's new cycle of creativity as probably one of the best songs of the album. The perfect blend of fury and harmony is mixed together with futuristic textures that stand as the concept. The interesting dynamics and rhythms bridge together the band's influences from Vektor, Coroner, and Megadeth. Despite the prog-thrash approach for the album, there's the simple verse-chorus structure that fits well as the sun of the solar system of all those elements. This minor detail serves as a stabilizing counterbalance for the technicality and progressiveness. The Megadeth-like riffing continues in "Death Technology".
"Prospect of Immortality" is more atmospheric, and what's unique compared to the other songs is, the guitar leads and solos take a break from technical simplicity to match the splendor of the other elements. "Transcendence" has a chorus that very well screams out the band's Vektor influences. "Perpetual Motion" is an ambient intermission.
The large brutality returns in "Conjuring the Egoist", breaking through walls at full speed and power. They sure know what they're doing with their razor-sharp thrash style. "Game of Souls" once again shows the band is at the top of their progressive thrash game. "Mindscape" has perfect harmony before the album's fierce remainder... "Flux Divergence" ends the album and narrative with nearly the same level of chaos as the album began. Once again, the strongest achievements by the band are made in creative maturity while gaining a bit of diversity.
Bionic Swarm shows this Dutch trio leaping into more than just stylistic change, it's a full-on reinvention of their creativity. Cryptosis' progressive-thrash hybrid brings new fresh hope to a style that has lacked attention. While I wouldn't put this album into the avant-garde category, its sense of adventure and audacity makes this album one of the most remarkable albums in the recent times of progressive thrash metal!
Favorites: "Decypher", "Prospect of Immortality", "Transcendence", "Mindscape", "Flux Divergence"