CRYPTS OF DESPAIR is a death metal band from Lithuania who formed in 2009. "All Light Swallowed," is their second full length album. The band follows through with their namesake and album title because the nine tracks paint a picture of the deepest crypt in the furthest of a void so black not only does it not allow light to come forth but also spews it's own darkness forth.

The album has an old school death metal feel but harnesses the power of black metal sensibilities, in terms of atmosphere. There is a difference between being brutal and being dark...this album nails down the melding of both these evil forces.

The opening track "Being-Erased" starts with fast paced but still sweltering riffs. The drums and vocals are both utilized at near inhuman levels. This is a great opener because it consistently ramps up the intensity but never let's go of the sulfuric atmosphere. Much of this can also be applied to the album itself. I love the simple but creepy opening moments of "Choked By The Void" but what's even better is the lead guitar using what amounts to melody on this album to take that creepiness and turn it into harrowing.

The middle portion of the song is just relentless and that guitar solo jumps out like some kind of wild unknown beast. Afterwards the song slows down and just grinds it down to the end where the drums pick up speed for a strong finish. "The Great End," begins with sparse instrumentation for a slow build up, as if something is out in the might stalking. The use of detached melody greatly enhances the song and gives it smooth flow as it picks up in speed.

The choppy riffs around the 3:15 mark helped show off the brutal vocals and helped signify the change in the song when it gets a little groovy. It all comes together at the end when the melody returns. I love how this band uses melody to make the songs darker—they take an element that most bands use to "lighten" up their music and instead make it a harrowing force to be reckoned with.

The last track "Bleak View" seems to be an odd choice for the album closer. It acts like more an atmospheric intro than an actual song...it could have opened the album well enough. It is especially odd when the track before, "Excruciating Weight," is such a strong song and makes for a great closer.  The beginning contains an atmospheric build up made of dark melodies, ripping double bass and a slow rhythm dirge from the rhythm.

This song is especially oppressive...listening to it with head phones definitely gives the feeling of your skull collapsing on it's own weight. The tempo alternates between fast and slow—just when you think the beating is over, it pummels you again and again.  The ending somewhat echoes the feel of the song's start coming full circle for a very complete experience.

Track placement aside, there isn't one song here that isn't total death metal madness. "All Light Swallowed" is an especially intense extreme metal album but done in an especially dark and twisted way.