Crionic Substance

This band’s history is invariably connected with the name Gert-Jan Aaltink, a talented axeman who also graced with his presence two other Dutch outfits, the progressive thrashers Genetic Wisdom and Voices. This act was his first vehicle, and in league with his comrades the team didn’t disappoint with the first demo which contained heavy, a bit rough-around-the-edges thrash that had both its heavy stomping and speedy bashing side.

Said bash was polished to the max on the demo reviewed here, but remained pretty much intact in terms of brutality, and with the added healthy doze of technicality these six tracks here literally smoke, a handsome package that may as well have been the first genuine entry into the technical thrash roster from the hugely gifted Netherlands alongside Vigilant. A short ambient intro (“A Mirror of Life”) serves as an early pacifier, but once “Save the Days” starts moshing with the utmost intensity, the listener may get startled as this cannonade is very close to the early death metal models; this is Sadus’ “Illusions” on technical steroids, a smattering stylized riff-fest accompanied by quite good vicious semi-clean vocals and nice balladic digressions.

The title-track comes rolling with a fountain of virtuoso leads before heavy hectic stomps try to make their way through dazzling stylish speedy skirmishes, a grand technical thrasher with echoes of Realm and Hexx, with a dizzying array of time-signatures in the second half carved by more outstanding lead pirouettes. “Innocent Victims” is a ball of stylish overlapping vortex-like riffs which are served in different configurations, the fast-paced passages played with near death metal intensity again, contrasting with the more laid-back doom-laden moments. “The Lunacy of Intelligence” is the next in line exemplary exhibition of guitar wizardry the leads making another unforgettable early showing before the headbanging madness resumes on full-throttle with regular more intricate dashes inserted into the hyper-active melee. “Vendetta Gentilitzia” is the culmination of this roller-coaster, an impressive progressive thrash fiesta which blends lead pyrotechnics, aggressive whirlwinds, spiral-like rifforamas, impetuous gallops, and officiant heavy sections this irresistible concoction having a charming chaotic vibe at times, predating the similarly-styled feats of Hellwitch, Vacant Grave, and Atheist. Time to unwind with something more orthodox, and “Last Meal!!” is a wild less controlled ride with vehement rhythms the band still embellishing it with less ordinary quirky riffage its application reaching fever pitch due to the insane hyper-velocity swirling around.

Like their compatriots Usurper and Mandator, the guys were looking at the other side of The Atlantic, and found their inspiration in both the already fully shaped progressive/technical pool (Realm & Toxik again), and the still forming thrash/death metal hybrid that was using later-period Possessed as a base on which a sizeable movement was built later. This masterpiece, also served with a very good sound quality, could be considered a precursor to the latter as it chronologically comes before the mentioned acts although some may be tempted to throw in the name of Pestilence here as the legends’ debut was constructed around samey very energetic, proto-death laced formulas; a relevant throw-in to some extent, albeit not nearly as carefully plotted, even less so from a technical-point-of-view…

cause to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth these folks were easily playing the whole metal constellation in their homeland under the table at the end of the 80’s, save for the mentioned Vigilant, of course, another brilliant early representative of the technical/progressive way of thinking; and it wasn’t until the appearance of Sacrosanct and Paralysis that Holland managed to match these obscure flashes of genius. Jagannath definitely had their very well deserved place on the front echelon of the Dutch metal scene at the beginning of the 90’s, but ironically they were also one of the earliest sign-offs from the field. Aaltink moved on first with Genetic Wisdom, the extension of Sacrosanct, and later with the one-album-wonder Voices, both stunts really worth checking out by fans of technical/progressive thrash. The disciples of Jude… sorry, Jagannath, Aaltink included, have reminded of themselves with a freshly released best of compilation, but whether this is going to turn into a revitalized career spell, that only the mighty deities from Indian mythology can tell.