Embodiment – Cryptomorph
Embodiment – Cryptomorph
Prosthetic Records
Release date: 24/07/26
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
If Trivium’s Matt Heafy endorses your band, then your music is worth listening to. If he describes it as a 10/10, then you oughta listen to the man! That’s exactly the endorsement “Cryptomorph” has received, the band’s first release in 6 years offering ‘stronger melodic hooks, dynamic vocal arrangements, and some of the heaviest and fastest material in the band’s catalogue to date’, in the band’s own words. The band are no newcomers to the scene either, having graced the likes of the UK’s Techfest and Bloodstock Open Air’s Sophie Stage. “Cryptomorph” offers insight into what the band have been up to in a short and very digestible 4-song offering.
Well, it’s easy to see why this has received such an early accolade and delivers exactly what the band has promised! “Cryptomorph” is a complex and multi-faceted release, with multiple layers unearthing themselves with every listen! Some of the guitar passages during ‘As They Spread Their Infection’ demonstrate the ridiculous talent within the ranks of the band. Though within this song, they can also go route one and take the more simple yet devastating approach with a series of crushing atomic sub-drops that can collapse buildings! ‘Jeopardy In Idolatry’ is another example of the band taking this technically proficient path whilst also dropping the hammer of brutality.
Interestingly, Matt Heafy gave “Crytomorph” such an incredible accolade because many of the things that made Trivium’s breakthrough album “Ascendancy” so incredible also dwell within Embodiment’s work. Especially the soaring and blazing choruses for ‘Resonance Cascade’ and ‘Beneath The Skin’, rare glimpse of euphoria providing that stadium-filling anthemic feeling amongst the chaos and brutality. Well, chaos is an interesting choice of word. Sure, the structure can seem a little loose and non-conventional at times. However, this is far from a hodgepodge mix of riffs and slams. No, the chaotic structure feels logical, planned, and the end product is one that keeps you at the edge of your seat and constantly on guard as you’re constantly challenged and kept guessing. Vocally, this has the full package. From the aforementioned blazing clean choruses to a vocal range of gutturals and pig squeals like that of Will Ramos and the late great Trevor Strnad.
Whilst Embodiment have been quiet over the last half a decade, they’re coming back with a blistering statement in the shape of “Cryptomorph”.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Jeopardy In Idolatry
02. Resonance Cascade
03. Beneath The Skin
04. As They Spread Their Infection
LINKS:
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