### Cryptic Voice: Acess denied

#### 25/02/08 || Euthanatos

Switzerland isn’t really a place famous for its metal. Sure, we have Celtic Frost as one of the bastions, one of the fucking pioneers of all this bullshit we dedicate our lives to, but other than that, it’s an act here, another there. After all, things are pretty peachy in Switzerland, so what would a Swiss be pissed off about, particularly to make death metal? Well, it just so happens that the fellas in Cryptic Voice sound very pissed off and they make quality death metal. Relatively new to the scene (this is only their second album), the band sounds like they’re veterans, and that fucking impresses me.

First and foremost, I get a nice surprise with the vocals. Even though I love death metal, I’m the first one to admit that a lot of vocalists sound the same and someone with true defining characteristics is rare. Dimitri Ceraso is the real deal, with a good growl, a deep rasp that has its own identity. The drums/guitar combo sounds like a war machine, there’s no better way to describe it. Just listen to “And Nothin’ Will Remain”. That is one kick-ass snare sound. And the way the riffs violently complement the blasts, god damn, this is a great track.

You have to really listen to “Shizzo”, though. The vocalist keeps screaming “Shizzo”, except it sounds just like “Shazam!”, so I keep getting this mental image of Captain Marvel in that great tight red suit. You just can’t go wrong with that combo there. That’s the best thing about Cryptic Voice. It’s actually fun. It’s not pretentious, it’s not boring, it’s just death metal and it’s fun. Naturally it’s not innovative and surely their songwriting could use a bit more variation every now and then. But all in all a solid, solid effort. If only 90% of the world’s bands died and went to hell and only the likes of Cryptic Voice remained. I’d be one happy camper.

The cover: It’s a bit too photoshoppy, but it’s cool. A face, a crypt, random stuff. Groovy.

7 Shazaaaaams out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2007
- Label: STF Records
- Website: www.crypticvoice.com
- Band
- Dimitri Ceraso: vocals
- Bernard Zanella: guitar
- Raphaël Crivelli: guitar
- Roya Z: bass
- Axel Jelinski: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Grimmlock
- 02. And Nothin’ Will Remain
- 03. Shizzo
- 04. Take The Crown
- 05. Death Row Dance
- 06. Miss De Witt
- 07. Access Denied
- 08. Noctum Solaris
- 09. In All Your Eyes
- 10. The Waiting For God
- 11. The Boulevard Of Broken Hope
- 12. When I Fell
- 13. Farewell