Cryptic
Edge of Sanity · 1997
35 min · 8 tracks · death metal
Churning riffs entwine with haunting melodies, creating a dark and atmospheric journey through death and progressive metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hell Written — The opening track sets a relentless pace with aggressive riffs and a sinister atmosphere, encapsulating the album's dark themes right from the start.
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No Destiny — This track showcases the band's signature blend of melodic hooks and heavy instrumentals, highlighting their prowess in crafting compelling lyrical narratives.
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Bleed You Dry — As one of the longer tracks on the album, it exemplifies the band's ability to build tension and release it through dynamic shifts in tempo and mood.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Cryptic showcases intricate compositions and a blend of styles, marking it as a notable entry in death metal's evolution.
What we noticed
- The album features complex song structures with frequent tempo changes, often shifting between aggressive riffs and melodic passages.
- Vocals alternate between guttural growls and clean singing, enhancing the emotional range of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- immersive thematic exploration
- dark, introspective listening sessions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1997, Cryptic is Edge of Sanity's fifth studio album, following their landmark release, Crimson. At this point, the band was solidifying their identity within the death metal scene while experimenting with intricate compositions and thematic depth.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hell Written 4:35
- 2 Uncontroll Me 5:55
- 3 No Destiny 3:35
- 4 Demon I 4:16
- 5 Not of This World 3:50
- 6 Dead I Walk 3:26
- 7 Born, Breed, Bleeding 4:30
- 8 Bleed You Dry 5:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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