Label: Purity Through Fire
Origin: Turku, Finland
Kryptamok has harvested the most contaminated internal organs from their short, yet sinistral demo, Profaani, and sewn them together into a debut full-length body of evil, Verisaarna. Smoking moments of black metal bliss send sparks flying, igniting slow-burning flames of down-tuned riffage that conspire with each other in concert throughout the record. Viscious vocals from Hex Inferi contrast demonically with epic atmospheric passages of symphonic melodies and chanted sermons, a combination that purposefully dictates every vile twist and turn. Just as Darkthrone gathered for an attack on the pearly gates, Kryptamok wages endless, total war on all those who bow to The Light.
Opening track, “Loputon, totaalinen sota (Endless, total war),” steams ahead on blisteringly fast wheels, slowing only briefly to showcase searing guitar licks that beckon the dark skies. Emperor-inspired symphonics add depth to the sinister soundtrack, as they meticulously polish the structured madness as slaves to Satan would spend hours scrubbing the gates of hell to a switch-blade shine. Kryptamok carefully slows things down, penning layered and thoughtful odes to evil. Tracks such as “Saastan rekviemi” and “Tämä on enne ja kuolema sen lupau (This is the prophecy and death is its promise – wow!)” retain a foreboding feeling throughout: far-off voices chant and whisper through haunting power chords and tense drum sections, while grief-stricken growls and symphonic guitars and synth duel for superiority in the blackened mist. These songs are scattered across Verisaarni, garrotting the breakneck black metal assault that introduces many of the other tracks.
Apokalypsin Epilooki (3:50-8:28) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhg2YAHibPU
Standout track, “Apokalypsin Epilooki (Epoch of the Apocalypse)” blazes a scorched path crossing the Swedish border to meet up with the late Jon Nödtveidt to headbang in eternity. From cosmically fast lead riffs to terse, growled choral sermons, this second track on Verisaarna retains Somberlain-era (early Dissection) blackened majesty while seamlessly incorporating Reinkaos-era (late Dissection) vocal stylings and distorted guitar tones, before evolving into a symphonically-fueled flight to graze the heavens. Kryptamok also maintains bleak guitar tones throughout the album, which hover above the crushing, bubbling riffage below. Inferi’s varied vocals inspire rage, as he transitions from classic black metal growls to stripped, exhaustive raw shrieks. Fifth track, “Pimeyden tyranni (Tyrant of darkness)” is perhaps the best example of this variance. With an engine powered by thunderous drums and liberally-oiled guitar licks, Inferi’s blasphemous throat injects nitrous oxide into the listener’s auditory canals. Disgruntled, increasingly violent background narrative babel creates an anguished atmosphere while levitating leads spin this track into a final vortex of confusion and despair. Verisaarna concludes its suicidal joyride with the title track, translating to “Blood Sermon.” Pummeling aggression and distorted shrieks are at the forefront of this terminal track, while precise minor chords row in tandem on a doomsday journey on the River Styx. Bells toll at ports along the way, signaling danger to the naïve traveler, as blast-beaten drums unroll the red carpet of exile, one that ends in an evil vanquishing chord.
Kyrptamok does not deviate far from the successful formula employed by the most devious black metal legends in the Scandinavian 90s. It is easy to identify musical influences, yet while some newer bands cite inspiration that actually borders on mimicry borne of laziness, Kryptamok meticulously blends wicked elements from hundreds of black metallers of old into an evolved Frankenstein of savagery, sure to entice a wry grin of appreciation from even the most jaded extreme metal fan. Verisaarna is impeccably produced: every tireless scream and captivating riff is captured in all of its dark glory, and the cover art exudes second-wave black metal nostalgia. The album is filled with icy hatred and down-tuned, succulently Satanic riffs: this symphonic effort is essentially the soundtrack for Odin’s wild hunt.
FFO: Emperor, Dissection (early and late), Watain, Darkthrone