Band:	Cryptosis
Album:	Bionic Swarm
Style:	Technical thrash metal
Release date:	March 2021

01. Overture 2149
02. Decypher
03. Death Technology
04. Prospect Of Immortality
05. Transcendence
06. Perpetual Motion
07. Conjuring The Egoist
08. Game Of Souls
09. Mindscape
10. Flux Divergence

Bionic Swarm is the debut album of a band that has already released two full-lengths in the past. Are you confused?

Dutch thrashers Cryptosis are actually Distillator with a new name but the change in name did not just happen for rebranding purposes because it also brought a shift in sound. In fact, the band first wrote the songs for the new album and then they realised that what they had accomplished was far more expansive than the straightforward thrash metal of Distillator. So, what are these new elements that made the name change a necessity?

Cryptosis are still a thrash band on top of it all but now they have a more technical and progressive character. The press information advises that they should appeal to fans of Coroner and Demolition Hammer, and while the former makes a lot of sense when you listen to the music, the latter is completely off the mark. My ears tell me that Cryptosis actually do have similarities with Vektor (and subsequently with Voivod) musically and I guess this is why they recently released a split EP together, and they also plan to go on tour together when touring becomes a reality again. The Dutchmen showcase technical prowess both in the songwriting field, as well as execution-wise, and it is undeniable that Bionic Swarm is more interesting than what the band members did with Distillator. Conceptually, they are into sci-fi and they are also fans of the Black Mirror TV series, so they get an extra point from this particular reviewer.

I mentioned earlier how Cryptosis are now making more expansive music, but by no means do I insinuate that they are any less hard-hitting. Songs like "Decypher", "Death Technology", "Transcendence", and "Flux Divergence" are pretty fast-paced and in-your-face, while still being quite technical and intricate. In fact, most of the album is nitro-boosted but there are also surprises such as "Prospect Of Immortality" with its doomy atmosphere and oriental vibe or "Mindscape", which leans very much on black metal. A point that needs to be mentioned is the clever presence of keyboards throughout the album, a feature that gives the music more depth and adds a bit of mystery and a futuristic touch.

Overall, Bionic Swarm is a promising debut of modern but - thankfully - undiluted thrash metal. While in anticipation for a new Vektor full-length, this is definitely worth checking out.

"No chaos, no crime
The subjects stay in line
I dictate your meaning
The essence of your soul"