I've been a fan of Cryptopsy since “Whisper Supremacy” in 1998 so I understood all the backlash with 2008’s “The Unspoken King”. That being said, I dug the hell out of that album, clean singing and all. Now that that's out of the way…on to the review!

It’s been about four years since the release of the bands last album “The Unspoken King”. There has been a couple changes since then, back is guitarist Jon Levasseur, gone is long time bassist Eric Langlois. They have weathered the changes to come out with their most strong and hungriest release to date. The production on this album is top notch. In this day and age of sterile and compressed sounding records everything on here is clear and warm. Makes you wonder if they went and recorded analog with this one. Thanks to magic hands of guitarist Chris Donaldson, Cryptopsy is the groups best sounding record ever.

The big worry for me was who was going to replace Eric on bass? Bravely and confidently, Olivier Pinard (of Neuraxis fame) stepped up to the challenge. With the song 'Red Skinned Scapegoat' it quickly quenched any doubt I had. Olivier and drummer Flo Mounier not only play in the pocket but break it numerously. 'Ominous' is a perfect example. Jon and Chris are a phenomenal guitar team. They shine on 'Two Pound Punch' and 'Red Skinned Scapegoat'. I love Matt Mc Gachys approach to the vocals it reminds me of former singer Mike DiSalvos (“..And Then You'll Beg” and “Whisper Supremacy” albums) attack. On songs like 'Damned Draft Dodgers' and 'Amputated Enigma' he just devastates whatever is in front of him. This has got to be Flo’s grooviest playing he has ever done, sure he’s blasting and hauling ass like a freight train but laying down some of the best accents I've heard in death metal. 'Cleansing the Host' and 'Shag Harborur’s Vistors' can illustrate that point better than I can say it. There is one “what the fuck!?” moment on here and it's not bad, it's so good I don’t want to spoil it. (Hint… it’s on 'Red Skinned Scapegoat') The stand out track for me has to be 'The Golden Square Mile'. The guitar riffs on this alone is worth buying this album. It might be the catchiest song, it is for me anyway.

People will say this is their return to form but I think it’s a fine continuation to a pretty impressive legacy. A heavy and viscous record but also fun to listen to! Its eight songs of badassness that knocks you out in thirty five minutes or less.