Prepare to be engulfed in a tempestuous maelstrom of an audial intensity as Brazilian death metal juggernaut, CRYPTA, readies itself to unleash its formidable second opus, "Shades of Sorrow." Released on August 4, 2023, via the heralded Napalm Records, this album stands as a testament to the unrelenting prowess of a band formed in 2019 by former NERVOSA members Luana Dametto (drums) and Fernanda Lira (vocals), now augmented by the fiercely talented guitarists Tainá Bergamaschi and Jessica di Falchi.
The groundwork for "Shades of Sorrow" was paved by the earth-shaking impact of CRYPTA's debut release, "Echoes of the Soul," a monolithic effort that shattered charts and established their audial dominion. With their sophomore offering, CRYPTA continues to forge their distinct sound, an amalgamation of classic and modern death metal elements interwoven with audacious brushes of extreme and black metal influences.
The album's journey begins with the atmospheric prelude "The Aftermath," its haunting piano melodies casting an ominous shadow that crescendos into the explosive eruption of "Dark Clouds." Here, feral growls intertwine with the band's breathtaking interplay, capturing the listener's senses from the very first heartbeat. "Poisonous Apathy" follows, its electrifying guitars and resounding basslines worming into the core of the mind.
Enter "The Outsider," an audacious juggernaut of pounding drums and fiery coals of aggression. Yet, even in its ferocity, it reveals the band's capacity for emotive nuance as it transitions into a softer outro that seamlessly metamorphoses into the ethereal opening of "Stronghold." The latter, a slower, more melodic interlude, demonstrates CRYPTA's multi-faceted approach to songcraft.
"The Other Side of Anger" arrives with a relentless barrage of death metal percussion, setting the stage for a vocal storm that whirls like an uncontrollable tempest. As the shadows lengthen, "The Limbo" acts as a musical threshold to the formidable guitar mastery showcased in "Trial of Traitors."
Following this haunting interlude, the album's narrative turns darker with "Lullaby for the Forsaken." Here, ghostly melodies weave with an eerie grace, paving the way for the dynamic complexity of "Agents of Chaos." This track becomes an embodiment of the band's virtuosity, effortlessly navigating its myriad shifts.
As the abyss beckons, "Lift the Blindfold" and "Lord of Ruins" surge forward, epitomizing CRYPTA's signature audial might. These tracks embrace the listener in a cocoon of relentless ferocity, leaving them breathless as the album's final chapter approaches. And with the tranquil outro of "The Closure," "Shades of Sorrow" comes to a harmonious and breathtaking close.
Evident is the unadulterated artistry that resides within the girls of CRYPTA. With "Shades of Sorrow," they have sculpted another opus of monumental proportions, intertwining their technical brilliance with masterful songwriting across thirteen captivating tracks. Recorded at the esteemed Family Mob Studio and masterfully mixed by Daniel Bergstrand at 33 Stockholm, Sweden, with mastering by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio, the album is a testament to the seamless convergence of musical prowess and audial production.
In "Shades of Sorrow," CRYPTA has harnessed devastation and brilliance, molding them into a cohesive and incendiary work of art. This album stands as a beacon of their creative zenith, a vortex of musical excellence that draws listeners into a realm where the boundaries of death metal are stretched, and the soul of the genre is reinvented.
Listen/Buy here: Shades of Sorrow | Crypta (bandcamp.com)