Reignite the two-pound torch that lit the legendary band’s comeback trail
“Cryptopsy brings the old sickness back” – Metal Sucks
Even the most legendary heroes have their downfall. Back at the end of the 2000s, the underground had left Cryptopsy for dead thanks to an album that’s best left unspoken. But when the recent JUNO Award winners returned from critic-imposed exile in 2011, they reclaimed their crown as the most vile name in death metal with their self-titled album.
“The self-titled album brought Cryptopsy back to its true intention, which is pushing brutal death metal to the utmost extremes”, says drummer and founding member Flo Mounier. “It marks the beginning of our resurgence”.
Season of Mist is reissuing Cryptopsy’s self-titled album on January 31, 2025.
Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/CryptopsySelfTitled
Stream: https://youtu.be/r1s7aGPFLWo
Available formats
Digital Download
CD Jewel Case
12″ Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12″ Vinyl Gatefold (Orange and Black Marbled)
In order for Cryptopsy to reimpose their supremacy, first, they had to return to the source. Even though he hadn’t picked up a guitar in the seven years since his departure from the band, John Levasseur rejoined for the writing and recording of their self-titled album. The songs needed time to cook, but once Levesseur and Mounier started jamming, they rediscovered the right balance between jazzy experimentation and brutal technical proficiency. “Ominous” still reigns as the only song in their 36 year history with a downtuned guitar, while future set list staple “Two-Pound Torch” introduced their patented, squirming fishhook riff.
Though no longer a fresh face, Matt McGachy established himself as Cryptopsy’s vocalist on the band’s self-titled album. “I pushed myself to make my vocals more brutal”, McGachy remembers, “but this is when I started to come into my own as death metal lyricist”. Every album since has formed around a twisted concept, but Cryptopsy is their first proper concept album. Each song uncovers a sordid chapter in Canadian lore. Eerie cymbal crashes, probing leads and slimy grooves from incoming bassist Olivier Pinard welcome the chilling UFO sightings on fan favorite “Shag Harbour’s Visitors”. Christian Donaldson guided them through the production process, but his guitar tears a distorted and bloody path through “Golden Square Mile”, which traces back to the mysterious Redpath Murders of 1901.
More than two decades into an already legendary career, Cryptopsy kicked off the band’s triumphant second act.
More praise for Cryptopsy
“This might even be their best since fucking None So Vile” – No Clean Singing
“Cryptopsy needed to once again prove that they could make some tech death that they as a group could be proud of and that statement rings through loud and clear” – Metal Injection
“…they are not only redefining Cryptopsy as a band, but also outlining origins and connecting back to their heritage; this is who they are.” – Last Rites
Tracklist:
1. Two-Pound Torch (5:04)
2. Shag Harbour’s Visitors (4:22)
3. Red-Skinned Scapegoat (5:57)
4. Damned Draft Dodgers (3:58)
5. Amputated Enigma (4:02)
6. The Golden Square Mile (3:13)
7. Ominous (3:47)
8. Cleansing the Hosts (4:36)
Though it pulled them back from the brink, Cryptopsy’s self-titled album was only the beginning. The Canadians continued their brutal resurgence on the double during the mid-2010s with two neck-snapping EPs.
The Book of Suffering was always meant as a companion piece. Cryptopsy framed Tome I around the concept of those phobophiles among us who inflict suffering (including a twisted-but-true tale of a Greyhound bus trip gone horribly awry). Meanwhile, Tome II shifts perspective to those who’ve escaped their tormentors. “Sire of Sin“ – a ripping escape from a notorious religious cult – quickly turned into a staple in the band’s ever-mutating setlist.
“The band is once again at the forefront of creative brutality“, Angry Metal Guy rejoiced.
Now, for the first time, fans can own both EPs on one combined LP when Season of Mist reissues The Book of Suffering this Friday, December 13.
Order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/cryptopsy-the-book-of-suffering
Stream:
Tome 1: https://cryptopsy.fanlink.tv/TheBookOfSufferingTome1
Tome 2: https://cryptopsy.fanlink.tv/TheBookOfSufferingTome2
Prepare for more relentless carnage when Cryptopsy tours Europe next summer with Decapitated, Warbringer and their Season of Mist label mates Carnation.
“Europe, get ready!”, Cryptopsy says. “With over 30 dates across the continent, this tour promises relentless energy, crushing riffs and unforgettable nights“
Get Tickets: https://www.avocadobooking.com/avocms/item/decapitated-infernal-bloodshed-over-europe-2025-tour
Infernal Bloodshed Over Europe 2025
May 1 – Kopervik, NO @ Karmbygeddon*
May 3 – London, UK @ Incineration Festival
May 4 – Exeter, UK @ Phoenix
May 5 – Cardiff, UK @ The Globe
May 6 – Newcastle, UK @ Anarchy Brewery
May 7 – Glasgow, UK @ Slay
May 8 – Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
May 9 – Birmingham, UK @ XOYO
May 10 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
May 11 – Norwich, UK @ The Waterfront
May 13 – Lille, FR @ The Black Lab
May 14 – Enschede, NL @ Metropool
May 15 – Munich, DE @ Backstage
May 16 – Aarau, CH @ KiFF
May 17 – Lindau, DE @ Vaudeville
May 18 – Vienna, AT @ Szene
May 19 – Budapest, HU @ Dürer Kert
May 20 Prague, CZ @ Fuchs2
May 21 – Schweinfurt, DE @ Stattbahnhof
May 22 – Dresden, DE @ Blauer Salon
May 23 – Krakow, PL @ Hype Park
May 24 – Warsaw, PL @ Proxima
May 26 – Berlin, DE @ Hole44
May 27 – Aarhus, DK @ Voxhall
May 28 – Hamburg, DE @ Logo
May 29 – Vechta, DE @ Gulfhaus
May 30 – Dortmund, DE @ Junkyard
May 31 – Sint-Niklaas, BE @ Casino
June 1 – Paris, FR @ La Machine
June 3 – Frankfurt, DE @ Das Bett
June 4 – Karlsruhe, DE @ Substage
June 5 – Milan, IT @ Legend Club
June 6 – Bologna, IT @ Locomotiv
June 7 – Lyon, FR @ Lions Metal Fest
June 8 – Maastricht, NL @ South of Heaven
*Decapitated Only