 |
|
Band Name: Usurper
Album Name: Cryptobeast
Rating: 4 / 5 User Rating: 3 / 5
Label: Earache Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
Rate Album: Rate
|
Tracklist
1. Bones of My Enemies
2. Supernatural Killing Spree
3. Kill for Metal
4. Conquest of the Grotesque
5. Ectoplasm
6. Return of the Werewolf
7. Reptilian
8. Cryptobeast
9. Wrath of God
10. Warriors of Iron and Rust (remake)
|
Chicago's Usurper are the real deal, delivering blistering, thrashing metal compositions with death metal overtones that saturate the atmosphere with a vicious bombardment of one hundred percent metal. There are aspects about this album that metal fans of all types would find appealing. On "Cryptobeast", the group has produced a sound akin to an updated Venom (admittedly, with darker vocals) or a more technically precise Celtic Frost. New vocalist Dan Tyrantor accentuates tracks like "Reptilian" and 'Supernatural Killing Spree' with his roughed up, growling vox that will have a crossover appeal to the metalcore crowd. But, as long time fans of the band know, Usurper stick true to the roots of dark metal, refusing to give into trends or compromise their gruesome metallic onslaught.
Featuring a stellar production job (as always) by Neil Kern on (Judas Priest, Deicide), 'Cryptobeast' delivers ominous lyrical concepts revolving around themes of horror (Conquest Of The Grotesque, Bones Of My Enemies), the supernatural (Supernatural Killing Spree) and the like. The lyrics are very good for this type of music, creating the perfect impression to augment the band's invictive metal cacophony. With emphasis on hard thrash riffery and coercive brutalizing vocals, Usurper has crafted an excellent metal listen.
'Kill For Metal' is anthemic and engaging. Featuring a chorus that will have the concert hall legions screaming along with fervor, this is a track that stands out as one of the best in this band's lengthy career. Sheer power emanates from your speakers on 'Return Of The Werewolf' which is highlighted by the distinctive tone of Tyrantor's roaring vocals and its early Slayer style riffing. The instrumental 'Ectoplasm' offers an eerie break in the bludgeoning, showing a bit more progressive side of the group and hinting at a bit more diversity than one would expect from this type of a band. The guitar solo here absolutely shreds! This tune is short, but well put together and it makes for a good interlude in the middle of the record.
'Wrath Of God' is a further exercise in blunt force trauma, with its in-your-face guitar attack and swirling chorus guaranteed to be the instigator of many a mosh pit. Usurper's detuned; pummeling axework is like a thick concrete wall – impenetrable and undeniably heavy!
'Cryptobeast' further establishes Usurper as one of the heaviest acts out there today that is sticking to the roots of heavy metal, playing it the way should be played – fast, loud, mean and with plenty of high speed firepower. Make sure you check this one out…
Review by: EF
Read Member Reviews
|
