Lost in the Woods

I suppose I should disclose that my friend Nate plays in this band. That said, Lost in the Woods is a legitimately strong first volley for this young black metal group, and I have no doubt in my mind I'd dig it regardless. Cryopathy play exactly the type of black metal I dig. They have an emphasis on atmosphere, but don't skimp on riffs. I love their triumphant but slow-burning sense of melody. With a strong vocal performance and killer bass performance, Lostin the Woods comes off like the start of something great.

Cryopathy's brand of black metal balances atmosphere and melody with a strong set of riffs. Their slowly unfolding melodic trem lines have a strong bittersweet quality to them - they almost feel like the soundtrack to a march back from a battle where your army was victorious but also suffered heavy casualties. The mix is raw enough for the brooding atmosphere to come through, but also strong enough that the riffs hit. I mostly think of Nate as a vocalist - while Skyless Aeons' style might not really be my jam, Nate's powerful, depraved rasps were incredible. The dude can really shout his head off. Turns out he can really rock the bass guitar, too. The bass presence is loud in the mix, really beefing things up. However, he really shines in the more atmospheric parts. He gets downright proggy (thankfully in a tasteful way) in once clean break, and drives the melody for the intro to the title track. Shania also puts up a standout performance with her powerful rasps. They totally fit in with black metal, perhaps with a lower register than most. Her phrasing actually kind of reminds me of the epic crust scene, and I could see her doing well in a Fall of Efrafa type band.

Nevermind the shoddy cover art - Cryopathy are a promising new black metal band. With the solemn-yet-triumphant riffs, the driving bass lines, and the strong vocal performance, Lost in the Woods has all the indicators that something great is around the bend. I missed a show of theirs after a last-minute invitation (I think I had an assignment due or something), and now I'm a little mad at myself I didn't just go. This is a really good start, and I reckon they'll only get better from here.