Once Was Not
Cryptopsy · 2005
49 min · 11 tracks · technical death metal
Technical musicianship meets relentless aggression in a cacophony of intricate riffs and guttural growls.
Top tracks — play these first
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In the Kingdom Where Everything Dies, the Sky Is Mortal — This track exemplifies the album’s thematic depth with its intricate arrangements and dynamic shifts, showcasing both ferocity and melody that define Cryptopsy's sound.
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Angelskingarden — With its sprawling length and complex rhythms, this song serves as a perfect illustration of the band's technical mastery while maintaining an intense emotional core.
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The Curse of the Great — This track features relentless pace shifts and showcases McGachy's vocal versatility, making it a standout representation of the band's evolved sound on this album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases technical prowess and aggressive compositions but lacks some cohesion in its flow.
What we noticed
- The album features rapid tempo shifts, with tracks often alternating between blast beats and slower, more intricate sections.
- Vocal delivery varies from guttural growls to higher-pitched screams, enhancing the dynamic range of the tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- relentless barrage of intensity
- dynamic journey of sound
- intricate riffs demanding attention
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, easy listening
- seek predictable song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Once Was Not is Cryptopsy's fifth studio album, released in 2005 as a follow-up to their critically acclaimed record, Whisper Supremacy. At this point, the band was navigating lineup changes, having welcomed new vocalist Matt McGachy, which influenced the album's direction and sound. This release marked a significant moment for Cryptopsy as they sought to redefine their brutal death metal legacy.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Origin· Necrophagist· Decrepit Birth
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Luminum 1:45
- 2 In the Kingdom Where Everything Dies, the Sky Is Mortal 5:21
- 3 Carrionshine 3:22
- 4 Adeste Infidelis 4:38
- 5 The Curse of the Great 5:21
- 6 The Frantic Pace of Dying 4:33
- 7 Keeping the Cadaver Dogs Busy 5:58
- 8 Angelskingarden 7:07
- 9 The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness (Psalm 91: 5–8) 3:26
- 10 The End 2:49
- 11 Endless Cemetery 5:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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