 "Nothing Short of Devastating" | 2009-11-09 |
| - Reviewed By Destined to Conquer |
This is an album hailed by many as a death metal classic, and upon many listens, it's easy to see why.
When Cryptopsy debuted "Blasphemy Made Flesh" in 1994, it was a brilliant take on death metal. However, flaws in the production tended to hold it back. It was in 1996 that Cryptopsy would expand on those ideas in the past and belt out "None So Vile", a monstrous death metal assault that doesn't let up throughout its eight track span. Opening up with a quote from "The Exorcist III: Legion" on "Crown of Horns", a drum fill is followed by Flo Mounier and the fun begins. The band managed to write some of the most intense and memorable riffs, courtesy of Jon Levasseur, and Eric Langois' debut as bassist just makes it shine more, giving us a taste of some amazing bass work that is well heard throughout. Then, we have Lord Worm, the man that helped to enhance this album even more with his indecipherable yet perfect vocals. By "perfect", I mean that it fits the music perfectly by belting out some of the most sinister vocals that the genre has ever heard. After the album is finished, we're treated with a sound clip from "Evil Dead III: Army of Darkness" that perfectly sums up the reaction that the untrained will witness.
It doesn't matter what you think of Cryptopsy these days, this is their defining moment and must be listened to if you have any respect for death metal.
Score: 10/10 (seriously) |
| |
| "Run Home and Cry to Mama" | 2009-11-01 |
| - Reviewed By Metalhead from Waco, TX |
As I was scrolling through the reviews to this album, I came across a very simple gem that literally made me laugh out loud. A review entitled "OMG", with the short message, "WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS THIS." That, my poor friend, was Cryptopsy's orgasmic release known as "None So Vile". An apt title indeed, for it showcases the eminent Lord Worm and his band of demons from beyond the grave. Now, silly reviewer, I suggest you do exactly as the end piece suggests - run home, cry to mama, ask her to assure you that the hellspawn can't get at you in your warm, safe bed.
A horrid, monstrous, totally inhuman scream, a cold voice saying "I do it rather well; don't you think?", and enter Lord Worm. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Not the lame scream of the testicularly-challenged Metalcore bands, this is the pinnacle of sub-human vocalization. It's a love-it-or-hate-it style - one that I would consider very similar to Obituary's John Tardy, in that it's mostly there to provide atmosphere, interlaced with the infamous grunt and the soul-shattering scream. The lyrics seem almost a short-story to accompany the song. You don't have a prayer of deciphering Lord Worm's chilling words, no matter how much you may want to (the lyrics are quite astounding; Lord Worm moonlights as an English teacher - haha)
The production is near-flawless on this album. The bass is audible; an important point, by the way. You'll never hear a bass quite like it. As innovative as Cliff Burton's highly praised basswork for Metallica, Eric Langois' bass pops and twitches its way through the songs. There's even a bass solo or two! All of this compliments Flo Mounier's tremendous drum work. Here I thought Gene Hoglan was in a class by himself. Somewhat typical death metal fare, with gravity blasts and rolling bass drums - just raised to the nth degree.
Ordinarily, I'd try to rate each song individually, but it's incredibly hard. I can't actually find flaws with any songs, but I can't write a review with ten out of ten stars for each song. I refuse to be a drooling fanboy any more than I already allow myself to be. Crown of Horns, Slit Your Guts and Orgiastic Disembowelment are the ones to watch out for. Listen intently at the very end of the album, and be prepared for a giggle of delight.
If you're into death metal, I cannot stress enough that you own this album. However, Lord Worm has a very unique vocal style; the closest I can name off the top of my head is early Cannibal Corpse's Chris Barnes, and even that is almost completely different. If I were you, I would borrow this from a friend first, if possible, or pursue other avenues of attaining a copy for purposes of preview.
If you're into thrash metal like Metallica and Slayer, this might be a little bit of a rough jump into death metal; there really isn't much heavier than this album. I recommend Morbid Angel as a good jumping-off point, as well as Possessed and Opeth. If you're ambitious and really want to sink your teeth into classic, brutal death metal, this is the album for you.
If you're into metalcore like Trivium and Killswitch Engage, pop, country and the softer stuff, I wouldn't even bother. If you're really interested in death metal, Opeth is almost certainly a better choice to get accustomed to the death grunt (I chose the song "The Drapery Falls" as my death metal intro, if you'd like a place to begin). If you're super-ambitious, then by all means, pick this sucker up. Just don't run crying to me when Lord Worm scares you half to death - run crying to mama! |
| |
| "Music that will permanently mangle your mind!!!!" | 2009-09-24 |
| - Reviewed By Christopher |
| For those of you who want to listen to a death metal album that will make you loose your mind and destroy everything around you. Then you've come to the right place!! I picked this cd up at fye and put it into my car cd player and was totally blown away by how heavy and fast their sound is. If you're fans of Napalm Death, Dying Fetus and Cannibal Corpse...then you're definitely going to like this band. You should also pick up Blasphemy Made Flesh and Whisper Supremacy. They also have three other albums which are also good, The Unspoken King wasn't as good as their other material, but they still keep to their chaotic style. |
| |
| "Fifty Stars!!!" | 2009-07-24 |
| - Reviewed By Sea Otter from Millbrae, CA United States |
| How can I have overlooked this album for so long? Why didn't someone tell me? You must listen to this album before you die. This is in a class by itself. Get it now! |
| |
| "Very satisfied." | 2009-05-01 |
| - Reviewed By An Amazon User |
| The item arrived in perfect condition just as the seller said it would. I was incredibly satisfied that, even though it was already opened, that it was in as good of condition as it was. I would definitely purchase from this seller again. They're honest and everything they've sold me (2 items) has arrived in perfect condition. |
| |
| "Yes, I am the guy who initially gave it 3 stars" | 2009-04-10 |
| - Reviewed By dethster4life from Salisbury, MD USA |
What can I say? I was wrong. This is one hell of a death metal CD! While Whisper Supremacy is still my favorite from them, I can totally see why this is hailed as a classic: the music is convoluted, very technical, yet catchy and somehow seems less intense than the follow ups. I mean, the brutality is there for sure, but it is CLEVER brutality, fast when it serves the song and slower when necessary.
The effect is that at first it all hits you at once and you think this sucks. I had to listen to that one 5 times (!) before I started appreciating it, while Whisper Supremacy and And Then You'll Beg were instant charmers for me. I think people (including myself, apparently) are quick to judge extreme tech metal albums from first listen. I have learned to be patient with such albums. Thus I benefit by slowly revealing something special.
Having said all that, I still think And Then You'll Beg is Cryptopsy's best effort to date, again, with Whisper Supremacy being my favorite. I also enjoy Once Was Not but not really because it's Cryptopsy, but because it's good stuff. I tried to get into The Unspoken King and like one song but the deftones-sound-alike vocals ruin it for me. Hopefully they'll do better next time.
None So Vile is a great record, one right up there with works of Suffocation or Immolation. If I had one gripe (and this is clearly a matter of personal preference) it would be Lord Worm's vocals. In my first, scathing, review, I have compared them to the Cookie Monster and I stand by it now. Mike Salvo works much better for me on the two follow ups. I was thinking of lowering the score to 4 stars for that, but given the brilliance of the music, I think it would be unfair. Were it possible, I would have given it 4.5. Since it's not, I have to go with 5/5 but, again, NSV is ALMOST perfect. Fortunately, Lord Worm seems to have learned from his mistakes, because his vocals on Once Was Not are good. In any case, for fans of inventive, original and butt-kicking tech death, None So Vile is undoubtedly a must own. |
| |
Expedited Available
