Odious Mortem Cryptic Implosion

Hailing from the fertile Santa Cruz death metal scene, Odious Mortem are an extreme death metal act whose speed and ability rivals most of their peers and influences. Though they share a hometown (and now a drummer) with their heroes Decrepit Birth, the band has always had their own style and with the release of Cryptic Implosion, they've definitely come into their own. The album was recorded at Castle Ultimate with Zack Ohren (All Shall Perish, Go It Alone) and is a serious upgrade from their debut Devouring The Prophecy. Willowtip Records prove once again that they are extreme metal's premier talent scouts, delivering fans of the genre a well-recorded album by these quickly rising stars. If the names Unique Leader (the band's former label) and Willowtip don't give you an inkling of what these guys are all about, this album probably isn't for you. There are no breakdowns, no melodies and little that could be considered accessible for those unacquainted with modern death metal. Cryptic Implosion is overflowing with constant blast-beats, face-melting guitar riffs and shifting tempos that eventually find a groove. Finally, Odious Mortem have added one major weapon to their guitar arsenal: solos. Between the consistently impressive contributions of guitarist Dan Eggers and the guest spot by Watchtower/Spastic Ink axe-man Ron Jarzombek, this album has enough great guitar work to satisfy even the most demanding metalheads. One of the main things that sets Odious Mortem apart from the pack is their approach to vocals. Anthony Trapani varies a bit between low growls without ever really falling down into that gurgling guttural range. There are a lot of great death metal acts out there that I have a hard time listening to for extended periods of time because of bad vocals. Odious Mortem might not have a huge range of vocal styles throughout Cryptic Implosion, but the one style they've chosen works well. The sometimes convoluted philosophical lyrics aren't exactly treading new ground, but they work here just as well as the one-off ode to gore "Gestation of Worms." Bottom Line: This is strong follow-up to Odious Mortem's debut and a definite, albeit small, step forward for the band. If nothing else, this would be a great entry point for those not already acquainted with the band, as it offers a superior production value than Devouring The Prophecy. Fans of the genre will definitely want to pick this one up if they haven't already and more casual fans could certainly appreciate the musical talent and consistent quality of Cryptic Implosion.