Album Review: Crypts of Despair – All Light Swallowed (Transcending Obscurity Records)

Death metal band Crypts of Despair will release their brand new album, All Light Swallowed on April 23rd 2021 via Transcending Obscurity Records.

Blistering heaviness is a major part of this record but it’s not the be all and end all of All Light Swallowed. What makes it such a spectacular listen is how atmosphere oozing throughout gives it a much darker, richer and evil sound. This is demonic stuff and it’s damn easy to revel in the savagery on show.

Deeply troubling heaviness and effectively atmospherically detailed when it needs to be. The smashing death brutality is the stuff nightmares are made of and credit to Crypts of Despair, they really make it worthwhile by having a ton of variety in their music. Not something you can say you often get with the extreme end of the spectrum.

Don’t be put off by the word ‘atmosphere’ though if you just want to have your head smashed in by music. Crypts of Despair have the tools to do this and do it very well. The nine tracks are disgustingly harsh to the ears, this band have bellyfuls of fire and a lot of ways to express it. The guitars are wielded like axes thirsty for blood. The drums are the thumps of an army of demons marching to the light to destroy humanity and the vocals the orders coming directly from the mouth of Satan.

It’s a strong as hell release that never gets cloying or repetitive because of the smartly and sparingly used atmosphere. It’s an album that needs multiple listens but also one you’ll happily want to give multiple listens.

Crypts of Despair – All Light Swallowed Full Track Listing:

1. Being – Erased
2. Anguished Exhale
3. Choked By the Void
4. Condemned to Life
5. Synergy of Suffering
6. The Great End
7. Disgust
8. Excruciating Weight
9. Bleak View

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Transcending Obscurity Records