MetalBite Review by Allan on 5/3/2002
In 1996
Cryptopsy unleashed one monstrous album upon us.
“None So Vile” was a shining moment in the scene, as well as for the band. It is a difficult job to compile an album to have that same effect twice. So, the band fell a little short – but for only a few reasons.
“Whisper Supremacy” is an album shunned by many, and hailed by many. But forget what you’ve heard about this album, because it’s awesome. The final decision should be made by the listener, though, not the fans with the overly high expectations.
Very much similar to ‘96’s
“None So Vile”, “Whisper Supremacy” follows up with that same unrelenting death metal that only
Cryptopsy know so well. Not taking any detours in their musical exploration, it’s a relatively safe record for the band to release, yet with some improvements and some not so good factors...
What is this? No Lord Worm? So, after
“None So Vile” Lord Worm took a permanent break from the band to spend time in the brewery business. Respectable, I guess... anyway, Lord Worm thought that the vocal duties would be handle best by Mike DiSalvo. Well, many fans were outraged by his vocal performance, understandably. DiSalvo is more of a hardcore vocalist, and that’s quite a difference compared to Lord Worm’s indecipherable but unbelievable fitting vocal approach. DiSalvo doesn’t quite fit the music, honestly. But, really, if you let this get to you you’re missing out on one hell of an album. That’s really the only problem with the album, in my mind.
Musically, this album is just amazing. It shows the band taking a step up in performance, musician-wise. The composing is excellent, the band member’s performance is top notch, and the ideas are all high above the rest of the scene.
“Whisper Supremacy” is
“None So Vile” all tidied up.
Bottom Line: The problem is,
“None So Vile” was amazing and it has this great intangible something that made it awesome. It will always be a landmark release in the death metal genre. In it’s own right, though,
“Whisper Supremacy” is a great record that if released under another name, would be praised and then praised again.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Originality: 8
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 8
Overall: 8
Rating: 8.2 out of
10
