‘Sinister bodies, Tethered for command, Subliminal power, Eternal nightmare’ (Gods Of The Grim And Dismal World)

Hardcore bands confronting the invidious effects of religious fundamentalism has been a constant since the first chords were struck, the first vocals barked.  You almost wonder, at times, what more there is to say.  Then, you read of US generals quoting the Book Of Revelation as they tell soldiers that they are doing the work of God in attacking Iran.  This involves wreaking havoc on a civilian population that has, of course, itself been under the yolk of a ruthlessly oppressive theocratic regime for some 40 years.

At that point, you realise that it can never be said enough times and Black Phosphorous Dungeon sees Cryptid Spawn savagely evoke a world that still remains in thrall to zealots of every hue.  I must confess that this is not an album that would necessarily have sung to be from the shelves unbidden – the band name, the album title, all feels quite on point.  But I’ve learnt over the years to trust Iron Lung’s judgement.  They are what you might call a ‘Ronseal Plus’ label – their releases invariably do rather more than they say on the tin.

Sonically, the Singapore based band root themselves in doom mired death metal, enriched with the flares of black metal melodicism and the rhythmic textures of hardcore.  The vocals are demonically spewed and the rhythm sections segues from frenzied eruptions to more supple expressions with a crushing yet disciplined velocity.  The heart of the band though lies in the sheer heft of the down tuned, buzzsaw guitars and the skilfully crafted progression of the song writing itself.

Across the five tracks, Cryptid Spawn evoke a bleakly suffocating atmosphere.  Yet from the brutally squalling convulsions of Gods Of The Grim And Dismal World to the sludge fuelled grooves of the title track, and from the hauntingly viscous Byssal Thread to the bludgeoning climax of Primal Sorcery, one that you find yourself only wanting to immerse yourself in ever more deeply.