With the release of Cryptopsy's "None So Vile" in 1996, came along two line-up changes. Founder, Steve Thibault (rhythm guitar/backing vocals) quit the band after finding a stable job in the beer industry and Martin Fergusson was replaced with bassist, Eric Langlois. Without the two original band members, "None So Vile" put up a pretty good fight to the seemingly impossible-to-beat debut album, "Blasphemy Made Flesh". In fact, I believe it's the best album they've ever produced (including Whisper Supremacy).

Every member seems to contribute equally to the brutally amazing sound that Cryptopsy is known and loved for. Lord Worm continues to write poetically and sadistically perverted lyrics and also continues to express them with the same great horrifyingly deep growls. Jon Levasseur does a terrific job writing fast and catchy guitar riffs for both rhythm and lead guitars and delivers them with rage and aggressiveness. Eric Langlois does an incredible job of filling Martin Fercuson's shoes with the bass. The only difference I noticed was that Fercuson didn't have as many bass breakdowns as Langlois did on "Blasphemy Made Flesh" and I think there could have been room for a few more of them. Then there's Flo Mounier with his incredible drumming technique... still showing everybody that he's not only one of the fastest drummers in the world, but also one of the most dynamic ones.

While I think every song on "None So Vile" is good, different, and plentiful, my personal favorites are "Phobophile", "Dead And Dripping", and "Slit Your Guts". "Phobophile" gives the album a little something special and features a melodic piano introduction. But from them on it's nothing but pure insanity. "Dead And Dripping" is a track with a lot of variation, dynamics, and speed change. The whole song is memorable but I especially like the guitar solo midway through which changes the mood of the song to something a bit more depressing, but then back to it's crazy verse. My attention was drawn to "Slit Your Guts" with it's miraculous introduction. Throughout the rest of the song, it kept my attention by building itself up to the most unbelievable drum beats known to man.

There's really nothing more to say, other than that Cryptopsy has done a great job with it's second album. With 8 tracks clocking in at 31 minutes and 46 seconds, Cryptopsy leaves you begging for more. Not only would this album attract brutal death metal fans, but if you like any type of extreme metal, then you'll probably enjoy this album. I GREATLY recommend this album!

This review is credited to:
insanitee

Wow! I can't think of enough words to describe how good this cd is! It's the best death metal cd I've ever had the pleasure of hearing, and I'm sure many other metalheads concur. The blast beats and the overall complexity of the drumming is mindblowing, and on this cd are some of the catchiest riffs ever! I love the interaction between the guitaring and the drums. The songs are very complex, but at the same time seem so organised with perfect continuity. The vocals are just insane. Lord Worm has such a deep, yet expressive and varied death grunt/growl. His is a unique sound. Other band members pitch in with the odd tortured scream for even more variation. However it's the music here that just blows me away. Complex, neck-snapping metal. You need to go to all lengths possible to find this cd.

This review is credited to:
Julian Forbes