Flo Mounier isn’t one to dwell on the past. Having surpassed 35 years of death metal excellence, with nine albums and countless world tours under his belt, reflection is a natural part of the process for the 50-year-old Montreal native.
In a recent conversation with Metal Injection, ahead of the release of Cryptopsy‘s intense new album An Insatiable Violence, Mounier discussed the band’s enduring legacy and their ability to push the boundaries of tech death with tracks like “Malicious Needs” and “Until There’s Nothing Left”.
“We’re always pushing each other to be our best,” Mounier shared during Cryptopsy‘s European tour. “It’s about the drive, the energy, and the passion. We’re not just going through the motions; we’re living it, and that’s what makes it special.” 
For Metal Injection‘s band of the month, the journey to album nine and their status as tech death legends began in the late 80s in Quebec. When reflecting on that time and their debut album Blasphemy Made Flesh, Mounier chooses to focus on the people who helped shape his early days in extreme metal, rather than the specifics of the music itself.
“My bandmates, the ones who aren’t with us anymore, they’re the ones I think about,” he admits. “The experience, the journey, the fun – that’s what matters. I was just a kid, 17 or 18, and they took me under their wing. We created something special with Blasphemy Made Flesh, and that’s all that matters.”
While Blasphemy Made Flesh and 1996’s None So Vile are considered essential tech death albums, the band has undergone significant changes over the years. The 2008 album The Unspoken King, for example, marked a departure from their traditional sound, with new vocalist Matt McGachy introducing a more melodic element.
“The Unspoken King was a special album for me,” Mounier reflects. “I wanted Matt to push his vocals, to explore his range. He has a natural talent, and I wanted to showcase that. It was an experiment, and it paid off.”
“Matt’s an incredibly talented vocalist, and I’m proud of what he’s accomplished,” Mounier continues. “He’s become one of the best singers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. And it’s not just about the music – he’s a great person, and I’m honored to call him a friend.”
Rather than dwelling on the past, Mounier prefers to focus on the present and future of Cryptopsy. The current lineup, featuring Mounier, Chris Donaldson, Matt McGachy, and Olivier Pinard, is the strongest it’s ever been, with a cohesion and chemistry that’s unparalleled.
“We’re on the same page, and that’s what makes it work,” Mounier says. “It’s not just about the music – it’s about the relationships, the trust, and the respect. We’ve learned to take the good with the bad, to learn from our failures, and to grow as individuals and as a band.”
As for An Insatiable Violence, Mounier promises that it’s just the beginning of a new chapter for Cryptopsy. The album is a testament to the band’s ability to evolve and push the boundaries of tech death, with some of their most intense and brutal music to date.
“This new album is a game-changer,” Mounier says. “We had a blast creating it, and we can’t wait to share it with the world. It’s a new era for Cryptopsy, and we’re just getting started.”
