Cryptic Dawn - Old Blood

Well, now, this is one project that needs a bit of explaining before I can go into the music. If there's one thing I know about the record label behind the project, Juggernaut Music Group is not afraid of taking chances with bands that are completely out there; I need only point out Kill the Sleeper, who combines emo imagery and lyrics with harsh EBM/aggrotech with a loose theme based around baseball, as well as Citizen 16, who is a harsh EBM and futurepop hybrid. However, considering how well I received both their releases on the label, I came into this project knowing it was odd, but loving every bit of oddness that flowed from it.

Born in 2014 by Pennsylvania based Matt Havens, Cryptic Dawn combines aggrotech with a strong liking to the hit TV series, Breaking Bad. And, when I say that, I do mean that the show practically influenced his song writing in a shit ton of ways. For example, he doesn't call what he does aggrotech, rather he calls it aggrometh. He samples the show in his songs a lot, says that the songs he sings are about meth, aliens, or aliens making meth, etc.; the guy is nuts over the show.

Anyway, gimmicks and humor aside, the guy does make some pretty stand out aggrotech. The stompy and bass driven track Old Blood begins off the five track EP, and once the vocals kick in, you pretty much understand why this project will pop out before your ears. The vocals are rancid (in that good way), sounding completely distorted, and like a demon ripping and tearing at all that stands in its path while joyously singing along. The beat maintains a steady beat, but the little electronic notes in the background really help move this song along even more. Also, as a little added touch, it finishes off with the end of the title credits from Breaking Bad.

Guns Up doesn't shy away from the ridiculous vocals, and once more gets down and dirty. Samples talk about backpack meth labs and what not, and though the beat isn't as loud, it certainly has a nice little thump going for it. Imminent Violence makes an appearance on the release with Awake The Demons. The beat gets a few more riffs in it, and I'm pretty sure IV appears with a second set of whispering vocals. Though I found them to be a little lower in comparison to the overall pounding bass of the track, they still served well.

Harsh EBM act Paranoia Bio Project makes the second guest appearance on El Llamado De la Destruccion. Not as hard hitting as previous songs, the devilish vocals disappeared and, in place for them, came whisper-like distorted vocals. I wouldn't say this was my favorite by far, but it was decent and got the job done.

Left To Die brought in some longer, drawn out synths along with other little electronic tidbits, and the devilish vocals made a comeback. Along with the longer, drawn out synths came a slower pace, and a bit of a bouncy beat. I appreciated the few samples within it (there was one where a bird chirped, and, for some reason, it went so well), and the overall track provided something good to end the release off on.

And, altogether, this came out to be quite a good EP. I mean, for what the project aims to do with itself, which is create music heavily influenced by a TV show, while trying to maintain its own identity, I'd say this man's doing a pretty swell job at it. I am interested in seeing where this project will go next. I mean, the Breaking Bad angle MAY get annoying to some after a while, for the show is widely talked about, and is everywhere, so seeing something else based on it might either seem to audiences like a cash-in or just an annoyance. I'm none too sure if the image can really break away from the show, given how deeply rooted it is within its world, but, you never know what will happen. Those are my thoughts, and I'm going to stick with them. But, hell, this five track EP was released for free, so go grab it for free and give it a spin. Sep 12 2014