CRYPTS OF DESPAIR were formed in 2009, and they are from Kaunas, Lithuania. The Death Metal/Deathcore band was active until 2013 and then from 2016 onwards. “We Belong In The Grave” is their third full-length album. It was mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (BEYOND CREATION; CRYPTOPSY; SHADOW OF INTENT). The album has a length of about 35 minutes, and it was released via Indian Black, Death, and Doom Metal specialists Transcending Obscurity Records.

The album starts with the title track and an atmospheric, dark, and tension-building intro, leading into a mixture of epic and melancholic as well as frantic parts driven by the blast-beats. The guitar riffing is punishing, and the vocals are growls that vary between the deep and medium end of the guttural range. The melodic framework is grim, and the guitars provide a spine-chilling atmosphere to the track. There is a seamless transition into “Terminal Dias” and this one is played at insane pace with tight and aggressive guitar riffs accompanied by the crushing basslines. There are constant twists in tempo and rhythm with many down-tempo parts. The down-tempo parts create a bone-chilling atmosphere with the lead guitar contributions. “Obliteration Of The Impure” starts with devastating guitar riffs at a measured tempo. The deep-lying growls are supported by background growls and occasionally by highly pitched screams. It is a very aggressive track with plenty of blast-beat attacks and twists in tempo and rhythm. There is an atmospheric component of the track driven by the guitars and right at the end there is a massive breakdown concluding the track.

“Expulsion To Purgatory” has a frantic start with the guitar riffing and the drumming. The track transitions into a mixture of mid-tempo with direct and very aggressive riffs and parts at blistering pace. In between there are down-tempo parts with thunderous guitar riffs and grim melodies. “Expulsion To Purgatory” is the official lyric video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Undisillusioned” comes right to the point with punishing guitar riffs and hammering drums. It is a pummelling track for most of the time, driven by the blast-beat attacks. There are, once again, plenty of twists and turns in tempo and rhythm, making the track unpredictable. The introduction of atmospheric components is limited right until the end. “Undisillusioned” is one of my album favourites. “Seizures” sounds slightly different to most album tracks. It is a slow and atmospheric track during the first half with the guitars and the vocals being the focal point of the song. There is an abrupt change in tempo and aggression, resulting in a blast-beat driven hammering of the listener. The track finishes with a huge breakdown and thunderous guitar riffing.

“Precipitous” is introduced by blast-beat thunderstorms and aggressive staccato-like guitar riffs. There are many subtle changes in tempo and rhythm, most notably a down-tempo part during the middle of the track, followed by another breakdown. The second half of the track has once again many atmospheric components. “Gaze Of The Adversary” is a mixture of fast parts and parts at measured tempo. While the faster parts are driven by punishing guitar riffs, the slower parts have atmospheric parts provided by the guitars. The track has also some epic components at the beginning, while the fast parts are of pure insanity and bludgeoning. “Burial Of The World” is the final track of the album and it is a grim atmospheric and instrumental journey, driven by thunderous guitar riffs and the lead guitar providing a spine-chilling atmosphere. Towards the end of the track, aggression levels raise by the introduction of blast-beat thunderstorms. It is a fitting end to the album.

CRYPTS OF DESPAIR release a very good album. “We Belong In The Grave” is a fine mixture of brutal Death Metal and Deathcore, driven by punishing guitar riffs and relentless drumming. All is kept together expertly by the vocals. The songwriting is mature and makes sure an excellent blend of grim atmospheres and aggressive pummelling of the listener. The album is well produced. CRYPTS OF DESPAIR deliver a high-quality album and show that they are ready for bigger things in the Death Metal/Deathcore arena.