Cryptic Brood – Necrotic Flesh Bacteria

Founded circa 2013, Cryptic Brood are three maniacs hailing from Wolfsburg (Germany), and is comprised of Steffen Brandes (drums & vocals), Michael Lehner (guitars & vocals) and Dennis Butzke (bass & vocals). Yes, you read it correct, all three members of the metal gang are participating with the vocals while also handling each of their respective instruments.

Cryptic Brood now returns with their third full-length album entitled, Necrotic Flesh Bacteria. The album consists of nine tracks (clocking at 40 minutes) has been released by War Anthem Records. Prior to the release of their third instalment this Germany-based trio had reputation for delivering grotesque death metal that feels and sounds suffocating, but also atmospheric and pretty listenable at the same time.

From the first moment and the opening riff of “Acid Fumes” it immediately becomes familiar where their music remains mostly slow paced, but again with additional sporadic filthy and unrelenting death metal sonic assault. Their riffs are mainly slow and almost doom-laden, but vocals are filled with aggression and uncompromising death metal/grindcore attitude, while drums are chrushing changing between some more doomish slow- and more haunting and hellish death metal drumming. Finally the importance of the bass is not to underestimate here, creating agonizing technical and doom-laden lines and varied bass textures.

Apart from this opening intro song “Acid Fumes” I find tracks as “Oozing Pox” and “Viscid Fluid” very interesting. “Oozing Pox” is a track that leans into eerie passages, incorporating interludes that amplify that suffocating atmosphere before plunging back into this devastating death metal. The following one called “Viscid Fluid” – I like mainly due to the interesting and messy lead guitar, and overall interesting approach and structure of the song. Also the closing five minute song “Reeking Pitted Innards” is a quite interesting one. It starts with a death & doom atmosphere that we have got used to from this band, but then circa in the middle section of the song, some haunting melodies and a crushing doom approach takes over. “Reeking Pitted Innards” is depicting some very good guitar riffs and it definitely works as nice and lovely album closer.

The production is well-partnered and professional where every instrument (and vocals) is simultaneously clear and crushingly heavy when it comes to the soundscapes it is creating. This sickening and morbid appeal of Necrotic Flesh Bacteria is completed by the insane graphics created by Slimeweaver (artwork) and FINAdesigns (layout).

Ultimately, with the release of Necrotic Flesh Bacteria, Cryptic Brood have refined their brand of death metal while staying true to their grimy, uncompromising old-school roots. As such, Necrotic Flesh Bacteria is essential purchase for all worshippers of old school death metal mixed with elements of doom, grind- and hardcore. A very high recommendation also for fans of Autopsy, Anatomia, Spectral Voice, Divine Eve etc.

For further details on Necrotic Flesh Bacteria or any other enquiries visit https://war-anthem-records.bandcamp.com/album/necrotic-flesh-bacteria