Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Usurper > Cryptobeast > Reviews
Usurper - Cryptobeast

How not to end on a high note - 65%

autothrall, May 22nd, 2010

Cryptobeast is the 2nd album Usurper recorded for Earache records, and also their final studio outing. The band brought on a new vocalist here, Dan Tyrantor, who has a pretty different voice than General Diabolic Slaughter. I dare say, Tyrantor sounds a little like a more bruising, death obsessed Phil Anselmo, or a bloodier cousin to Crowbar's Kirk Windstein back in that band's prime. He's not necessarily an awful frontman for this band, and when he breaks into a growl, you can feel the death metal power coursing through your skull, but I'm just not into the swagger I feel when listening to most of his vocals here, and I felt a little of the buzz die inside, really missing Slaughter's performance on the first few releases.

On the other hand, musically, Usurper has polished itself up and delivers a far more aggressive, exciting set of tunes than one found on either Twiilght Dominion or Necronemesis. They come out fighting on a few songs like "Bones of My Enemies", "Return of the Werewolf" and the very Deicide-like, blasting death metal of "Supernatural Killing Spree". A few of the mid paced tracks like "Wrath of God" deliver these massive grooves which feel like a mid point between Bolt Thrower and a brutal hardcore, complete with repeated gang vocal shouts. "Cryptobeast" is the fastest, most purely thrashing element of this album, and I also enjoyed the eerie yet warm atmosphere of the instrumental "Ectoplasm". "Reptilian" doesn't do much for me musically, as it's a very chug hardcore song which reminds me somewhat of Hatebreed with a doomier sounding breakdown. But I like that they tackle the old conspiracy theory of the reptile humanoids that are hidden among us!

Alas, the band once again incorporates a pair of 'WE ARE METAL' songs here. The first, "Kill for Metal" features some cool, swerving bass and classic, dirty speed metal riffs, and really all is well until the dopey lyrics arrive. When did this band decide they were going to become the death metal Manowar?

'Arising from an electric Hell
Usurper casts the decibel spell
Annihilation of the false and weak
Metal shall inherit-death to the meek!'

It is not alone, joined here by an update to the song "Warriors of Iron and Rust" from the Necronemesis album, subtitled "Battalions of the New Millenium". Ever wonder what the original would sound like with a more panterrible death metal singer? Here, sate your curiosity on this abortion. It's a shame, because yet again, the music itself is pretty sick, with Scythe and Necromancer delivering more passion than the previous edition. Among the rest of the lyrics, which deal in cool subjects like Gaelic myth and warfare, these two tracks stand out like swollen, ugly pimples in need of a popping.

This is the gist of Crytobeast. An energetic outpouring from a rabble that had seemed quite subdued on the their two previous albums in the 21st century, but ultimately failing to impress solely on the basis of the majority of the vocals and the two 'metal' tracks. It's a goddamn shame, because the guitar tone is like the jet fuel of an Abyssal airline, burning hellishly through the night sky as it delivers the souls to the underworld. These strings burn. As I've stated, Dan Tyrantor is not exactly some shitty, half-assed replacement, but I just feel his style better fits a metalcore or groove metal band, and its presence here often rapes the music's potential. The overall quality thus falls once more below to the middling realm of mediocrity.

In summation:
Usurper 1995-1999: Great!
Usurper 2000 and beyond: Try not to think about it.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Cryptacular! - 91%

Erin_Fox, October 28th, 2006

Chicago’s Usurper is 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…

None more METAL!!! - 90%

krozza, February 25th, 2005

Could there be a more ‘METAL’ opening to the New Year? It’s a debatable point no doubt, but just one month into Year 2005 you can be certain that the new Usurper disc presents itself as a massive statement of metal intent.

I’ve always had plenty of time for these Chicago based maniacs. Impressing with their early incarnations via the ‘Diabolis’ and ‘Threshold of…’ discs right through to their classic ‘Skeletal Season’ and 2003’s ‘Twilight Dominion’, Usurper have upped the ante on each occasion. These maniacs are probably the best old school Death/Thrash band around and with ‘Cryptobeast’ they will only enhance their reputation even further.

As it stands now, I’m prepared to say that ‘Cryptobeast’ is Usurper’s finest effort yet. This album is the result of years of hard work gelling together to form a seriously brutal and cohesive thrash album. Some of the diehard Usurper fans might beg to differ, citing a more refined sound and the move to Earache as some sort of ‘sellout’. Let me tell you right now that Usurper are anything but. Usurper has always been a deliciously brutal band, encapsulating everything great about hard as nails, no compromise old school thrash metal. ‘Cryptobeast’ may not emanate the rough as guts sound of their earlier material, nevertheless, even with Neil Kernon at the production helm, there has been no concessions given their metallic ethic. Just like before, Usurper will still tear your head off.

The most impressive aspect about the strength of ‘Cryptobeast’ is that it arrives after some major line up changes. With the firing of long time vocalist ‘General Diabolical Slaughter’ I was a little concerned that Usurper may not be able to keep their well oiled war machine working to its full potential. Be assured that the addition of Dan “Tyrantor” Lawson to the front man’s role, these fears can be waylaid. With a decidedly lower register and aggressive death metal style, Lawson breathes some serious fire throughout. And as for those infamous death grunts (trademark: Tom. G. Warrior), you can rest easy that nothing has changed. The guys even pull out a remake of the old chestnut ‘Warriors of Iron and Rust just to convince you that they’ve lost none of their death grunt extremity.

The other line up change is at the back end of the band, but it’s no less important. Out goes Dave Hellstorm and in walks original drummer Joe “Apocalyptic” Warlord. As usual, the man blinds us with his ruthless purpose - flaying, pounding, pummeling, and blasting better than ever before.

Musically, ‘Cryptobeast’ represents Usurpers best set of tracks yet. They’ve always had an uncanny ability in pulling out some killer metal anthems on previous albums, but unlike those efforts, this disc seems to be particularly strong from beginning to end. With guitarists Rick S. Scythe and Carcass Chris honing their Celtic Frost meets Bolt Thrower riffs for maximum effect (with some noted added melodic touches), moments like ‘Kill For Metal, Bones of My Enemies, Return of the Werewolf and the title track’ are certain to become ‘classic’ live staples.

Usurper is metal to the unashamedly metal to fucking bone punters. They are indeed purveyors of a brutal, and punishing soundtrack to war. They maintain that killer old school death/thrash vibe they’re so admired for, whilst making further improvements in their songwriting. As has been their vibe all along, the whole Usurper package - right down to the studded armbands and bullet belts -reeks of classic underground thrashmetal. Miss this at your peril folks. UGGHH!!!