Review Summary: This is where you die.
The appeal of Krypts’
Open the Crypt lies in the fact that it is simple, heavy death metal. There’s absolutely nothing here that could be considered weak, because every moment is dark and brutal. A great contributor to this feeling is the constant use of flat notes that gives the music a haunted atmosphere. Sure, the chords could possibly be viewed as repetitive or predictable, but this is death metal, repetition helps keep the listener in the moment. You can only truly appreciate the muddy slabs of crushing guitars after they’ve pounded your skull in again and again. The songs would be much less effective without the thick, dirty tones of the guitars, but Krypts aren’t holding anything back. Neither is the lead screamer who unleashes deep, monstrous growls upon the listener, further cementing the deathly mood of the album. The screams, as do the rest of the instruments, blend and create a perfectly gruesome harmony that any metal fan should enjoy. That’s not to say that the EP is melodic (although I do hear some hints of Middle Eastern chords), but rather that the soundscape constructed is a strong, cohesive whole.
As far as the album’s negatives, there aren’t many. One could complain that the songs drag, but the songs aren’t necessarily slow; the waves of numbing guitars drag the listener into the murky darkness where beasts dwell and time slows, but it is simply an illusion. Krypts are here to both scare and depress, and whether or not you buy it, there’s no denying this is solidly executed death metal. From blastbeats to intense riffs to dark, distant growls, this EP has it all. The only truly negative aspect to be considered is its length, which is rather short. Therefore, if you’re looking for a quick, crushing fix of old school styled death metal, look no further than
Open the Crypt.
