Cryptopsy – An Insatiable Violence: “They managed to take things even further…”

Cryptopsy is one of those few bands that never release the same album twice, but are always consistent. They managed to take things even further with An Insatiable Violence. This is a concept album about the ways that social media can possess you. Each song is memorable yet insane, capturing this evil in unimaginable ways. Every member also puts everything into this album, resulting in some mind-blowing solos, funky bass lines, and inhuman drumming.

Cryptopsy continues exploring new paths, but they stay grounded in their old ways. You can hear this in a song like “Fools Last Acclaim.” The song starts off like something you would hear on None So Vile, with fast drumming and riffing, and even vocalist Matt McGachy imitates Lord Worm’s vocals flawlessly. But the riffs get chunkier and the drums develop a groovy feeling. This track continues moving in different directions, with McGachy using numerous vocal tones to fit this unpredictable style.

The main reason why this album is so memorable is it has a concept. Social media has poisoned our minds, and Cryptopsy yells their message loudest with the song “Our Great Deception.” The lyrics encompass the album’s larger meaning: how we’re trapped in an online hellscape, and it’s skewing our views of each other and of reality as a whole.

“Face to face is always a chore / Reality doesn’t match the images adored / A brief embrace and awkward exchanges / In strange unknown space.”

This song is also the most unique on the album. A guitar-heavy intro opens up to melodic chords and Flo Mournier’s classic rapid blast beats, and the riffs become progressively faster as McGachy’s voice punches in. The rest of the song is a whirlwind; some parts hold lots of melody, while others will bite off your flesh, finished with funky basslines and a brutal solo from guitarist Christian Donaldson.

“Embrace the Nihility” is the most sinister sounding song on the album, but is also one of the most unique. The song takes many twists and turns, with dark-sounding riffs that morph into a dissonant nightmare. Grooves force their way into the mix, merging with McGachy’s vocals. Donaldson once again unleashes a twisted solo that fits the chaos of the rest of the track.

An Insatiable Violence is one of the most unique Cryptopsy albums, but they don’t venture too far off the path. Their brutal sound matches the sinister concept, complete with insane musicianship. An Insatiable Violence proves that Cryptopsy is a bigger monster than we expected.

Rating: 9.5/10

Preorder An Insatiable Violence: https://cryptopsyofficial.bandcamp.com/album/an-insatiable-violence