Cryptopsy "Blasphemy Made Flesh (1997 Reissue, Holland, Displeased Records, D-00054)"

Blasphemy Made Flesh is the debut album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy, released on November 25, 1994 through Invasion Records. It was re-released in 1997 by Displeased Records, and in 2001 by Century Media with a different cover. The album was recorded at Piranha Studio in Montreal. It is the only album to feature bassist Martin Fergusson.

The music on Blasphemy Made Flesh has been described as "sophisticated" and as having an "off-kilter personality." Its style has been described as a more "maniacal" and "chaotic" approach to the "technical, percussive" style of Suffocation. The album contains many tempo changes, and has been noted for its "extreme speed". Todd Nief of AllMusic described the musicianship as "technically impressive, but occasionally sloppy in an almost punk way," and music journalist T Coles assessed that the band "uses the momentum to elevate their ideas from complex to just plain overwhelming." The guitar and bass work has been described as "complex and dramatic". Lord Worm's vocal style on the album incorporates death growls and high shrieks. His vocal performance has been described as "all over the place," and his choices of vocal rhythms to punctuate phrases as "awkward". The album also contains melodic guitar riffs that have drawn comparisons to Iron Maiden.

These songs are essentially linear, as each riff is run through a variety of tempos before undergoing a slight mutation to carry the song forward. Then, a new musical idea is introduced suddenly through a stuttering transition or a slapped bassline.

- Todd Nief of AllMusic

Todd Nief of AllMusic said, "The switch between technical death metal, rhythmic pounding, and sped-up Iron Maiden riffing is occasionally jarring, but this album "works" as a whole. Cryptopsy's ear for catchy rhythm and desire to push the boundaries of an aesthetic make Blasphemy Made Flesh a resounding success."

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by Cryptopsy.

1. "Defenestration" 4:32
2. "Abigor" 3:52
3. "Open Face Surgery" 4:25
4. "Serial Messiah" 4:01
5. "Born Headless" 4:29
6. "Swine of the Cross" 3:06
7. "Gravaged (A Cryptopsy)" 2:47
8. "Memories of Blood" 3:34
9. "Mutant Christ" 4:21
10. "Pathological Frolic" 4:35

Total length: 39:42

Cover photography and logo by Florent Mounier

Design, artwork and image manipulation by François Quévillon, based on the original 1994 design.

Tracks 2, 7, 9, previously released on the "Ungentle Exhumation" demo.

Recording information:

Produced by Cryptopsy.

Recorded at Piranha Studio, Montreal, Canada in April 1994.

Jacky Mounier – photography

Rod "The God" Shearer – engineering

Kevin Weagle – design

Cryptopsy "Whisper Supremacy (Russia, Fono Ltd., FO501CD)"

Whisper Supremacy is the third album by Canadian technical death metal band Cryptopsy. It is the first album to feature vocalist Mike DiSalvo and the only album to feature guitarist Miguel Roy.

On the US release the band logo is in the upper left, whereas on the German (European) release it is larger and centred.

Whisper Supremacy has been described as a progressive death metal album. The album's mix has been described as "all vocals and drums," and the guitar riffs have been said to be "often buried under Flo Mounier's furious blast beats and ferocious double bass drumming". Daniel Gioffre of AllMusic suggested that the riffs "aren't the focal point," of the album so much as "Cryptopsy's desire for aural devastation." The album demonstrates brief instances of melody. Levasseur's lead guitar playing technique has been described as "conventional," though the album has been noted for its progressive elements.

Daniel Gioffre of AllMusic gave the album four stars out of five. He wrote: "Whisper Supremacy is a better album than is apparent upon first listen, as Cryptopsy's progressive tendencies add a pleasing amount of depth to the record. For example, the tricky rhythms of 'Flame to the Surface' or the stop-on-a-dime fits of 'Emaciate' reveal a great deal of thought and precise execution. A fine progressive death metal album from a band at the top of its game."

Track listing

1. "Emaciate" 5:00
2. "Cold Hate, Warm Blood" 3:54
3. "Loathe" 4:53
4. "White Worms" 3:41
5. "Flame to the Surface" 3:05
6. "Depths You've Fallen" 3:58
7. "Faceless Unknown" 3:19
8. "Serpent's Coil" 3:18

Total length: 31:10

Recording information:

Recorded and mixed at Victor Studio, Montreal, June 1998.

François Quévillon – artwork, design, illustration

Sébastien Bussières – engineering

Pierre Rémillard – production

Annie Grenier – photography

Various Artists "Identity Five: I Defy (USA, Century Media, 7867-2)"

Identity Five: I Defy is a heavy metal compilation album, released on March 9, 1999 by Century Media Records. 

It is the fifth entry in the Identity series of samplers, featuring songs from 17 bands associated with the label.

Track list:

1. Burning Times - Iced Earth
2. So Far From The Truth - Skinlab
3. My Wings - Lacuna Coil
4. Let It Die - Turmoil
5. The Suicider - Sentenced
6. Deadhouse - Katatonia
7. Poison Godmachine - Nevermore
8. Fall Of Man - Old Man's Child
9. Into The Storm - Blind Guardian
10. Liberty Bell - The Gathering
11. The Absentee - Haste
12. White Worms - Cryptopsy
13. Oceans Rise - Borknagar
14. Lorelei - Theater Of Tragedy
15. Mystery Machine - Angra
16. Age Of Mastery - Jag Panzer
17. When - Opeth

Comes in a standard clear jewel case with a 12-page booklet and a 2-sided sheet of advertisement (mail order).