Album Review: Crypta: Shades of Sorrow
Unleash the drawbridge and prepare for a Metal siege, as Crypta storms the castle for the first time with their eagerly awaited second album, “Shades Of Sorrow”. Hot on the heels of their lauded debut, “Echoes Of The Soul”, the band returns, albeit with a lineup change. Sonia Anubis (of Cobra Spell) has vacated her guitar post, passing the torch to the deftly skilled Jéssica di Falchi.
If you haven’t heard of Crypta you must not have been paying attention to the death metal scene in Brazil, because these Metal Maidens are taking the world by storm. With only two albums to their discography and having formed in 2019 they’ve gained a massive following, and are currently signed to Napalm Records! The new lineup is:
Luana Dametto - Drums
Fernanda Lira - Vocals, Bass
Tainá Bergamaschi - Guitars
Jéssica di Falchi - Guitars
So what is the new album like? Well, “Shades Of Sorrow” definitely isn’t short with 13 tracks. It also mixes the old school (more raw sounding death metal) with the a newer more polished feel. The bass on many of the songs are so prominent you’d think Cliff Burton was advising the band. Having said that the album hurls you headfirst into the tumultuous tempest of death metal.
The album unfurls its dark banner with the calming instrumental track, “The Aftermath,” a deceptive calm before the storm that is “Dark Clouds.” This track roars into life with growls from Fernanda, as ferocious as a castle's resident gargoyle, showcasing the band's impressive interplay from the get-go. The vocals are much more refined on this album and it goes to show the work that the band has been putting in. The track, “Poisonous Apathy” follows right after. Its electrifying guitar riffs and thumping bassline wind their way into your very marrow like a mischievous castle ghoul. Chort especially loves the guitar sections on the album, but that may also be because of his infatuation with Tainá. DON’T TELL HER I SAID THAT THOUGH! This latest album really speaks to the improvement of the band as a whole and it’s clear they’re pushing themselves to new heights.
“The Outsider” continues the auditory assault, delivering a drum barrage that would make even the castle's staunchest defenders quake in their boots. We definitely had to play this one a few times, as drummer, Luana Dametto, just obliterates your skull with her skills. The vocals meanwhile of Fernanda Lira are as menacing as a disgruntled dungeon postman, before the track winds down into a softer outro. The mixing was clearly well thought out and highlighted each artists forte really well, so kudos to Daniel Bergstrand for putting the work in.
“The Stronghold” offers a respite, a moment of tranquility amidst the chaos, this is for all you introverted Citadelians. It’s yet again a track that speaks to the dynamic and unique nature of Crypta. They haven’t lost anything with Sonia’s leaving, they’ve just continued to fine tune the entire group.
“The Other Side of Anger” is yet another song with a drum attack that's as relentless as Chort when he eats cheese and forgets to take his digestive pills. The drumming rip through your ear holes only to set the stage for vocals that whip up a storm of fury.
The album doesn’t stop there in terms of offering a slice of something different as “The Limbo” is an instrumental piano interlude, “Lullaby for the Forsaken” is a haunting yet eerie track and “Agents of Chaos.” and the unyielding death metal tracks “Lift the Blindfold” and “Lord of Ruins” deliver the trademark Crypta sound, leaving listeners as breathless as a knight after a jousting match.
“Lord of Ruin” may be one of my favourites of the album. It is a classic 120 beats per minute, D minor skull crusher of a song. The riffs have a tasty distortion that blend perfectly with Fernanda’s vocals. The guitar work in “Lord of Ruins” is also exceptional, lots of nice palm muting to add an earthy tone to the song, alongside the lead melodies which creates a cacophony of death metal intricacy. The album concludes with the beautiful instrumental outro, “The Closure,” a gentle farewell as the Citadel’s gates close behind you.
This album honestly surprised me as I wasn’t sure how the transition with Sonia leaving would put the band in once they took to the studio. Yet, clearly my worries were for nothing as this is an album that's sure to leave its mark on the tapestry of death metal in Brazil. This album is not as linear as the first one, the guitar comes through a lot more in this album and there is a bit more of a in-depth thought process of the album as a whole. The bass was a bit heavy at times but it did also create a feeling of a more expansive and deep soundscape. Anyone who listens to Crypta can easily see that this band is only going to go to greater heights if they keep this level of mastery up. Who knows maybe one day they’ll even accept our invite for an interview, I just hope Chort doesn’t pass out if Tainá messages us back.
