Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Cryptosis - Bionic Swarm (2021)

In the world of thrash metal there are many artists I am sure with some USP (unique selling point - for the uninitiated) in their sound, look or ideology.  I can't really name any that are too far out there but I don't know of any that count a mellotron amongst their instruments.  Now, a mellotron is an electro-mechanical piano first produced en-masse in the 60's.  Artists ranging from The Beatles through to King Crimson have used the instrument and so to see it listed on a progressive thrash album has some sense of irony associated with it, based on the King Crimson reference at least, as well as still being a curved ball in 2021.

If you want to hear an example of it, check out the opening of Mindscape on the internet and you will soon grasp its distinct sound.  When deployed, it puts real depth in the sci-fi themed atmospherics that Cryptosis use throughout Bionic Swarm to good effect.  Straight away the Vektor comparisons come in both by virtue of the sub-genre tag and also the construct of the music as well - there's a reason these guys did a split release!  But whereas Vektor go for all out technical wankery and really progressive structures there is an element of that being paired back with Cryptosis and with positive outcomes to boot.

Vocalist, Laurens Houvast has a gruffness in his bark and doesn't try to overdo the ear-splitting shrieks at any point and as such his vocals compliment the flow and roll of the music perfectly.  He drops in the higher end of his range to finish some sentences here and there but they feel part of everything else that is going on at the same time as opposed to some distracting piece that is trying to do out-do the rest of the sound.  His guitar work is busy throughout in terms of riffing and his lead work feels quite restrained without leaving the record devoid of some flair and grandiosity, whilst his use of progressive structure and melody at the same time is virtually flawless.  Meanwhile, the solid and consistent drum work of Marco Prij stands out as another notable part of proceedings.  Although sometimes a little too hidden in the mix he still stands up well in the face of some of the more blistering moments from Houvast.  Mellotron supremo, Frank te Riet also handles bass duties and you can hear him firmly plonking away in the background across the album.

All in all this is great release to usher in the dawn of the band's new name having spent years as Distillator before their increase in progressive focus.  It isn't perfect of course but it is going to be exciting to see where these guys go on subsequent releases.