With the release of their debut album Bionic Swarm, Cryptosis established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene, showcasing their technical prowess and dystopian, mechanical soundscapes. Now, with their latest album Celestial Death, the band has expanded their sonic palette, incorporating cinematic atmospheres, blackened aggression, and philosophical musings on technology and existence.
In this in-depth interview, we delve into the creative evolution behind Celestial Death, exploring the band’s expanded melodic scope, their approach to balancing raw aggression with atmospheric soundscapes, and the eerie silence of space that fuels their sound.
How did your creative process shift from the mechanical, dystopian edge of Bionic Swarm to the more personal and cinematic vision of Celestial Death? 
While working on Bionic Swarm, we aimed to push the boundaries of technicality, speed, and concept. In contrast, Celestial Death saw us easing off the technical thrash approach and focusing on incorporating a broader range of genres and energies. We also emphasized adding more melody to our sound, allowing inspiration to guide us in new and unexpected ways.
The album’s press release mentions a more “cinematic” approach and a “darker atmosphere.” What filmic influences or imagery did you draw upon when shaping the album’s sound and narrative?
During the creation of Bionic Swarm, we were heavily inspired by the Netflix series Black Mirror. Its dystopian themes and atmosphere led us down a path of exploration, questioning the impact of technology on society and the blurring of lines between progress and dehumanization. This perspective became a driving force behind the lyrical themes of Celestial Death, which delves into a future where humanity and technology are inseparable, but at what cost?
Celestial Death features more personal lyrical themes. Can you share an example of a personal story that found its way into a song, and why it was important for you to include it?
Celestial Death is a concept album that deals with technological and existential themes that are part of our lives now or will be soon. It’s a vision of how we experience the world, a dark time, but also one where we have unprecedented ownership. This paradox fuels the album’s narrative, a salvation and a curse, reflecting the choices we make now and their impact on the future.
Each song is written from the perspective of an individual struggling with the rapidly changing world. A notable example is “Faceless Matter,” a metaphor for the loss of individuality in a world where artificial intelligence has deeply integrated into human consciousness. The song explores the idea of humanity losing its unique identities, becoming part of a homogeneous, collective mind, represented by the title’s theme of being reduced to mere matter — alive, but faceless, nameless, and indistinguishable.
The album balances intense metal passages with ambient, spacey segments. How did you approach blending raw aggression with atmospheric soundscapes in your songwriting?
We began by recording every idea that came to mind, creating a vast database of potential songs. After selecting the best ideas, we worked to find the right energy for each, ensuring the album was balanced. We analyzed tempos, keys, riffs, and melodies, steering the album toward a diverse yet cohesive sound.
Marco’s drumming is more prominent this time. How did his evolving style influence the overall dynamic and technical direction of the record?
Marco’s outstanding drumming on the album gave us the opportunity to dial back the tempo, opening up space within the arrangements. His parts feel bigger and more prominent, allowing the music to breathe and feel more expansive.
You worked with the same production team and studio as your debut. How did you maintain continuity while pushing the sound into new, darker territories?
We chose to work with the same team because they understood our vision and sound. The songs on Celestial Death are darker, with more layers and complexities. From the first mixes, we were blown away, and the mastering took the album to the next level.
Your vocal delivery combines guttural growls with strained, punk-inspired tones. How did you experiment with and refine this hybrid approach to better serve the album’s themes?
I used a similar technique to Bionic Swarm, but with more aggression and power behind the words and growls. It’s about intent and emotion, aiming for the lyrics to carry weight and meaning, to hit with an extra layer of atmosphere.
The cosmic theme is prevalent in Celestial Death. How do you translate the vast, often eerie silence of space into the intense, layered music you create?
