Cryptopsy is a Canadian
technical death metal
Technical death metal (also referred to as tech-death) is a musical subgenre of death metal that began and developed in the early- to mid-1990s, with particular focus on challenging, demanding instrumental skill and complex songwriting.
Techni ...
band from
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...
, formed in 1988.
History
Necrosis (1988–1992)
Necrosis was formed in April 1988
by drummer Mike Atkin, guitarist Steve Thibault and vocalist Dan "Lord Worm" Greening, initially under the name Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. John Todds later joined on
bass. The band released several demos, including ''Mastication and Heterodontism'' (1989), ''Realms of Pathogenia'' (1991) and ''Necrosis'' (1992). Atkin left the band to continue more into the
Speed metal
Speed metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) roots.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' (Berg Publishers, 2007), , p. 31. It ...
/Thrash direction, and was replaced by
Flo Mounier
Flo Mounier (born 29 June 1974 in Tours, France) is the drummer of metal band Cryptopsy.
He has toured Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia and the United States as a headlining act over the last 24 years, and combined record sales have reached over ...
, at which time the band changed their name to "Cryptopsy". Todds left shortly thereafter, retiring from music to focus on his family; he was replaced by Kevin Weagle; Dave Galea also joined the band.
''Blasphemy Made Flesh'' (1993–1995)
In 1993, Cryptopsy released their debut demo, ''
Ungentle Exhumation
''Ungentle Exhumation'' is a demo tape by the technical death metal band Cryptopsy. The demo was released in 1993 and is the band's first ever release. It was re-released in 2002 as an MCD.
Besides the track "Back to the Worms", all tracks were ...
''. This demo caught the attention of local label Gore Records, which re-released the demo and, for a brief period, managed the band. The demo garnered attention in the Canadian
death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...
underground
Underground most commonly refers to:
* Subterranea (geography), the regions beneath the surface of the Earth
Underground may also refer to:
Places
* The Underground (Boston), a music club in the Allston neighborhood of Boston
* The Underground (S ...
, as well as from the German label Invasion Records.
By 1994, bassist Kevin Weagle had been replaced by Martin Fergusson, and Dave Galea was replaced by lead guitarist Jon Levasseur. This line-up recorded their debut album, ''
Blasphemy Made Flesh
''Blasphemy Made Flesh'' is the debut album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy. The album was released in 1994, re-released in 1997 by Displeased Records, and also re-released in 2001 by Century Media with a different cover. It is the only al ...
'', which at first was independently released and later licensed to Invasion Records. The album gained them a wide following in the Canadian underground.
Due to financial problems of Invasion Records, Cryptopsy was left without a label to support their tour, but the album would be picked up by Dutch label
Displeased Records
Displeased Records was a Dutch independent record label
An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterp ...
. After successfully touring in support of ''Blasphemy Made Flesh'', Steve Thibault left the band. Bassist Martin Fergusson was replaced by
Eric Langlois
Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, formed in 1988.
History Necrosis (1988–1992)
Necrosis was formed in April 1988 by drummer Mike Atkin, guitarist Steve Thibault and vocalist Dan "Lord Worm" Greening, initially ...
. The addition of Langlois incorporated
funk-style bass slaps into the Cryptopsy sound.
''None So Vile'' (1996–1997)
In 1996, the line-up of Worm, Mounier, Levasseur, and Langlois released the album ''
None So Vile
''None So Vile'' is the second studio album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy, released on 3 July 1996 by Wrong Again Records. The album was later reissued by Displeased Records
Displeased Records was a Dutch independent record label
...
'' on the Swedish label
Wrong Again Records
Regain Records was a Swedish-based independent record label. The label predominantly released death metal and black metal albums. Regain Records was founded from what remained of the former label, Wrong Again Records, by Per Gyllenbäck in 1997 ...
. By this time, Levasseur was a very prominent songwriter in the band. His guitar leads consisted of very fast yet complex shreds, which were usually played in short bursts. Although Levasseur handled all the guitar parts on the album, the band would add Miguel Roy as a second touring guitarist.
In 1997, after the tour in support of ''None So Vile'', Lord Worm left the band, citing health issues. The band hired the Boston native Mike DiSalvo, vocalist of death metal band Infestation, (with the personal approval of Lord Worm).
In July 1997, Cryptopsy's appearance at the Milwaukee Metalfest XI gained the attention of many American metalheads, as well as that of the label
Century Media
A century is a period of 100 years. Centuries are numbered ordinally in English and many other languages. The word ''century'' comes from the Latin ''centum'', meaning ''one hundred''. ''Century'' is sometimes abbreviated as c.
A centennial or ...
.
''Whisper Supremacy'' (1998–1999)
Cryptopsy's next album, ''
Whisper Supremacy
''Whisper Supremacy'' is the third studio 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 th ...
'', was released on Century Media in 1998, and featured Miguel Roy on second guitar. It took Cryptopsy's style further, incorporating some
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
and
fusion
Fusion, or synthesis, is the process of combining two or more distinct entities into a new whole.
Fusion may also refer to:
Science and technology Physics
*Nuclear fusion, multiple atomic nuclei combining to form one or more different atomic nucl ...
elements. Some fans criticized Mike DiSalvo's vocal style, saying it was too similar to that of hardcore vocalists and preferring the more extreme death metal style of Lord Worm; others welcomed DiSalvo's intelligible lyrics and vocal presence. The tour in support of ''
Whisper Supremacy
''Whisper Supremacy'' is the third studio 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 th ...
'' took the band on their first tour through the United States, increasing their fan-base significantly.
''…And Then You'll Beg'' (2001–2002)
Cryptopsy released their fourth studio effort, ''
…And Then You'll Beg
''And Then You'll Beg'' is the fourth studio album by Canadian technical death metal band Cryptopsy. It is the first album with guitarist Alex Auburn, and the last album with vocalist Mike DiSalvo and guitarist Jon Levasseur, until Levasseur retur ...
'', in 2001. The album featured a new guitarist,
Alex Auburn, who replaced Miguel Roy. ''And Then You'll Beg'' was viewed as being less extreme than Cryptopsy's previous albums. The album also incorporated even more progressive elements and was considered to be very technical and experimental. After the first portion of the supporting tour, Mike DiSalvo departed the band. Martin LaCroix took over the position as singer for the European and Japanese tours. His style was viewed as being in between the styles of Lord Worm and Mike DiSalvo.
''None So Live'' (2002–2004)
In June 2001, Cryptopsy played their first concert in their hometown of Montreal in four years and attracted an audience of more than 2,000. The concert was recorded and, in 2003, released as a live album, ''
None So Live
''None So Live'' is a live album by Canadian technical death metal band Cryptopsy. It was recorded June 1, 2002 at The Medley in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and was released after Mike DiSalvo left the band; it is the only release to feature Martin ...
''. This release was LaCroix's only contribution to Cryptopsy's discography; he was not fluent enough in English to write lyrics on the same level as his predecessors.
Lord Worm rejoined the band and through summer 2004, Cryptopsy played shows in the Montreal area, and began a full Canadian tour in September, with former guitarist Miguel Roy filling in for the unavailable Jon Levasseur. In October, Martyr and former
Gorguts
Gorguts is a Canadian death metal band from Sherbrooke, Quebec, formed in 1989. The band has been through many personnel changes since its inception; its only constant member has been guitarist and vocalist Luc Lemay, who remains the primary cr ...
guitarist
Dan Mongrain
Daniel Mongrain (also known as Dan Mongrain and Chewy) is perhaps best known as a co-founder of the Quebec technical death metal band Martyr. He composes, sings and plays lead and rhythm guitar. Mongrain is currently a guitarist and composes as a ...
took over second guitar duties for the live dates. The setlist for this tour began with the entire ''None So Vile'' album, followed by songs from ''Blasphemy Made Flesh'' and ''Whisper Supremacy''. The Canada 2004 tour ended at Cryptopsy's performance on November 6 at the
Trois-Rivieres ''Metalfest IV'', which was filmed for a live DVD. The DVD ''Live at Trois-Rivieres Metalfest IV'' was released in 2005.
''Once Was Not'' (2005–2006)
On January 31, 2005, Jon Levasseur announced that he had lost interest in extreme music and amicably departed Cryptopsy. Dan Mongrain remained on guitar duties for the ''Back to the Worms'' tour through the United States from February to May. After the tour's completion Mongrain also departed in order to continue his work with
Martyr
A martyr (, ''mártys'', "witness", or , ''marturia'', stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an externa ...
. It was then announced that Cryptopsy's next album, ''
Once Was Not
''Once Was Not'' is the fifth album by Canadian technical death metal band Cryptopsy.
''Once Was Not'' is the first album to feature original vocalist Lord Worm since 1996's ''None So Vile'', and would be his last with the band. It is also the ...
'', would be released on October 18, 2005. The album features original vocalist Lord Worm, Flo Mounier, Eric Langlois, and Alex Auburn handling all guitar duties except the intro track "Luminum". On September 28 it was announced that the new touring guitarist would be Christian Donaldson of Mythosis. The band toured North America with
Suffocation
Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen to the body which arises from abnormal breathing. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and organs. There are many circumstances that can i ...
,
Despised Icon
Despised Icon is a Canadian deathcore band from Montreal, Quebec. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the talent of its drummer, Alex Pelletier, who makes frequent use of the blasting technique, as well as for its dual lead vocalists; Alex E ...
, and
Aborted
Aborted is a Belgian death metal band formed in 1995 in Waregem. The group currently consists of vocalist, founder and only constant member Sven de Caluwé, guitarist Ian Jekelis, bassist Stefano Franceschini and drummer Ken Bedene. Although th ...
. After a break, and the release of Flo Mounier's instructional drumming DVD ''Extreme Metal Drumming 101'', the band toured Europe with
Grave
A grave is a location where a dead body (typically that of a human, although sometimes that of an animal) is buried or interred after a funeral. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as grave ...
,
Aborted
Aborted is a Belgian death metal band formed in 1995 in Waregem. The group currently consists of vocalist, founder and only constant member Sven de Caluwé, guitarist Ian Jekelis, bassist Stefano Franceschini and drummer Ken Bedene. Although th ...
,
Dew-Scented
Dew-Scented was a German thrash and death metal band. They have released eight studio albums and were last signed to Metal Blade Records (Europe) and Prosthetic Records (USA/North America). Their name is inspired by the writings of Edgar Allan P ...
, and others, then toured America and Australia. Following their second tour of Europe, UK, and Scandinavia, guitarist Christian Donaldson became a permanent member of the band.
''The Unspoken King'' (2007–2011)
The new album was originally to be called ''The Book of Suffering'', and was to be a
double album
A double album (or double record) is an audio album that spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically either records or compact disc. A double album is usually, though not always, released as such because the recording i ...
, but on April 23, 2007, Cryptopsy announced that Lord Worm had been fired from the band and that they were looking for a new vocalist. After the announcement, Lord Worm stated that he left the group earlier than planned for health reasons, which contradicted the band's statement that he was kicked out. Lord Worm also stated that there were creative differences with the other band members over the direction the band would eventually take on their subsequent studio outing.
On December 4, 2007, Cryptopsy revealed the addition of vocalist Matt McGachy, of fellow Montreal heavy metal band 3 Mile Scream; and a new keyboard player, Maggy Durand. The band released a new studio album, ''
The Unspoken King
''The Unspoken King'' is the sixth studio album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy. The album was released on May 26, 2008 in Europe, and June 24, 2008 in the US by Century Media Records. It was the last album to feature guitarist Alex Auburn ...
'', on June 24, 2008. This album saw the inclusion of previously-unheard elements such as breakdowns and melodic riffs. The album has been widely regarded as being a
deathcore
Deathcore is an extreme metal subgenre that combines death metal with metalcore. The genre consists of death metal guitar riffs, blast beats, and metalcore breakdowns. While there are some precursors to the concept of death metal fused with met ...
release instead of the band's usual technical death metal style, and as such was met with a mixed-to-negative reaction from both fans
and critics.
In early February 2009, guitarist Alex Auburn announced his departure from the band, saying that there were numerous reasons for his leaving, and that he and the rest of the band agreed with the departure.
Self-titled album and ''The Book of Suffering'' EP's (2011–present)
On May 25, 2011, the band announced on their Facebook page that former lead guitarist and major contributor Jon Levasseur had returned to the band. Additionally, bassist Eric Langlois decided to take a break from Cryptopsy, and Youri Raymond took his place on bass. On December 9, 2011, Raymond announced his departure from the band. On January 15, 2012, Cryptopsy announced that Olivier Pinard, from
Neuraxis
The neuraxis or sometimes neuroaxis is the axis of the central nervous system. It denotes the direction in which the central nervous system lies. During embryological development, the neuraxis is bent by various flexures, contributing to the ma ...
and Vengeful, would be the new bassist.
On September 14, 2012, Cryptopsy released ''
Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, formed in 1988.
History Necrosis (1988–1992)
Necrosis was formed in April 1988 by drummer Mike Atkin, guitarist Steve Thibault and vocalist Dan "Lord Worm" Greening, initially ...
'', which turned away from the experimentation witnessed on ''
The Unspoken King
''The Unspoken King'' is the sixth studio album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy. The album was released on May 26, 2008 in Europe, and June 24, 2008 in the US by Century Media Records. It was the last album to feature guitarist Alex Auburn ...
'', in favour of a more technical death metal sound.
On May 8, 2015, it was announced that Cryptopsy would release ''The Book of Suffering - Tome I'' in mid-2015, the first in a series of EPs. An
Indiegogo campaign was launched the same day. Regarding the recording process, it was stated that
Jason Suecof
Jason Suecof (born April 3, 1980) is an American record producer, audio engineer and guitarist best known for his work with heavy metal bands such as Trivium, Battlecross, Death Angel, All That Remains, Bury Your Dead, The Black Dahlia Murder ...
would handle mixing duties, while Alan Douches would handle the mastering process.
On August 31, 2018, the band announced the second part of ''The Book of Suffering'' on their Facebook page. Pre-sales of the EP began on the 7th of September along with a music video of their new song "Sire of Sin", which was to appear on Tome II. The EP was released on October 26.
Members
Current
*
Flo Mounier
Flo Mounier (born 29 June 1974 in Tours, France) is the drummer of metal band Cryptopsy.
He has toured Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia and the United States as a headlining act over the last 24 years, and combined record sales have reached over ...
–
drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...
,
backing vocals
A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are use ...
(1992–present)
* Christian Donaldson –
lead guitar
Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in which the guitarist plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs and chords within a song structure. The lead is the featur ...
(2005–2011, 2012–present),
rhythm guitar
In music performances, rhythm guitar is a technique and role that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with other instruments from the rhythm section (e.g., drum kit, bass guitar ...
(2011–present)
* Matt McGachy –
lead vocals
The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...
(2007–present)
* Olivier Pinard –
bass (2012–present)
Former
* Mike Atkin – drums
(1988–1992)
* John Todds – bass, backing vocals
(1988–1992)
* Steve Thibault – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
(1988–1995), lead guitar
(1988–1992)
* Lord Worm – lead vocals
(1988–1997, 2003–2007) (ex-Rage Nucléaire, ex-Necrosis)
* Dave Galea – lead guitar
(1992–1993)
* Kevin Weagle – bass
(1992–1994)
* Jon Levasseur – lead guitar
(1993–2005, 2011–2012)
* Martin Fergusson – bass
(1994)
* Miguel Roy – rhythm guitar
(1995–1999)
* Eric Langlois – bass
(1995–2011)
* Mike DiSalvo – lead vocals
(1997–2001) (Coma Cluster Void, Akurion, Conflux, ex-Infestation, ex-Mabbus)
* Alex Auburn – rhythm guitar, co-lead vocals
(1999–2009)
* Martin Lacroix – lead vocals
(2001–2003) (ex-Serocs, ex-Spasme)
*
Daniel Mongrain
Daniel Mongrain (also known as Dan Mongrain and Chewy) is perhaps best known as a co-founder of the Quebec technical death metal band Martyr. He composes, sings and plays lead and rhythm guitar. Mongrain is currently a guitarist and composes as a ...
– lead guitar
(2004-2005 touring)
* Maggy Durand –
keyboards
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
(2007–2008)
* Youri Raymond – rhythm guitar
(2009–2011), bass
(2011), backing vocals
(2009–2011)
* Dominic Grimard – bass
(2018-2019)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
*''
Blasphemy Made Flesh
''Blasphemy Made Flesh'' is the debut album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy. The album was released in 1994, re-released in 1997 by Displeased Records, and also re-released in 2001 by Century Media with a different cover. It is the only al ...
'' (1994)
*''
None So Vile
''None So Vile'' is the second studio album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy, released on 3 July 1996 by Wrong Again Records. The album was later reissued by Displeased Records
Displeased Records was a Dutch independent record label
...
'' (1996)
*''
Whisper Supremacy
''Whisper Supremacy'' is the third studio 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 th ...
'' (1998)
*''
...And Then You'll Beg'' (2000)
*''
Once Was Not
''Once Was Not'' is the fifth album by Canadian technical death metal band Cryptopsy.
''Once Was Not'' is the first album to feature original vocalist Lord Worm since 1996's ''None So Vile'', and would be his last with the band. It is also the ...
'' (2005)
*''
The Unspoken King
''The Unspoken King'' is the sixth studio album by Canadian death metal band Cryptopsy. The album was released on May 26, 2008 in Europe, and June 24, 2008 in the US by Century Media Records. It was the last album to feature guitarist Alex Auburn ...
'' (2008)
*''
Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, formed in 1988.
History Necrosis (1988–1992)
Necrosis was formed in April 1988 by drummer Mike Atkin, guitarist Steve Thibault and vocalist Dan "Lord Worm" Greening, initially ...
'' (2012)
EPs
*''The Book of Suffering – Tome I'' (2015)
*''The Book of Suffering – Tome II'' (2018)
Live albums
*''
None So Live
''None So Live'' is a live album by Canadian technical death metal band Cryptopsy. It was recorded June 1, 2002 at The Medley in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and was released after Mike DiSalvo left the band; it is the only release to feature Martin ...
'' (2003)
;Demos
*''
Ungentle Exhumation
''Ungentle Exhumation'' is a demo tape by the technical death metal band Cryptopsy. The demo was released in 1993 and is the band's first ever release. It was re-released in 2002 as an MCD.
Besides the track "Back to the Worms", all tracks were ...
'' (1993)
;Compilations
*''The Best of Us Bleed'' (2012)
References
External links
Official websiteFacebook
{{Authority control
1988 establishments in Quebec
Canadian death metal musical groups
Canadian technical death metal musical groups
Century Media Records artists
Deathcore musical groups
Musical groups established in 1988
Musical groups from Montreal
Musical quartets