Interview with CRYPTIC PROCESS
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about CRYPTIC PROCESS (Members, Starting Year etc).
Cryptic Process consists of two members: Ugo on guitar and drum programming, and Damien on vocals. It's a rather unconventional lineup, but this project was born during the COVID pandemic. We're old buddies and just wanted to get back into making Brutal Death together. Regarding our background, we're former members and founders of Goryptic (and Heresy). Both of us had a history in Grindcore for several years: Ugo played guitar in Trepan’Dead, and Dam was a vocalist in Unsu. Our style might resemble Goryptic a bit, but we wanted to start fresh with this new project! We consider it a clean slate despite our past experiences.
You have recently released your album ''Human Snack''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Of all the studio recordings we've done, this one feels the most accomplished to us. It's the only one where, after release, we have zero regrets, both in terms of compositions and mix! The album is just 15 days old (released on December 15), but the few responses we've received have been quite positive. Overall, listeners appreciate the compositions and the album's sound and visuals. Most reviews will come in gradually (it's the holiday season, always a bit challenging for reviewers, and that's understandable!).
How did your cooperation with Crypt Of Dr. Gore Records occur? What do you prefer Label or DIY and why?
Dr. Gore is an incredibly supportive guy we've known for over 20 years. He supported us during the Heresy and Goryptic days! As soon as he caught wind of our project and heard our promo track in June, he immediately showed interest and offered us a deal because he liked our sound! For the album, we have two partners: Crypt of Dr. Gore and Drowning In Chaos Records. They both contributed to financing the Digipack pressing, and I must say, they are fully invested in promoting "Human Snack"! They are not our labels, though! They are partnership agreements for promotion and distribution. So, we're truly self-produced, handling everything from A to Z, as we've always preferred to have full control over all aspects of our musical projects.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
As for concerts, we won't talk about them because, for the moment, we haven't done any! However, I must say, our studio session was quite intense! Intense in work, emotions, bursts of laughter, fatigue, but we're really satisfied that we managed to create the exact sound we envisioned, just the two of us! For an anecdote, recording the voice effects for the intro of the first track on the album ("From Your Shackles…") was done on the fly during the mix because we wanted to use samples initially, but it didn't satisfy us. So, I (Dam) recorded all the pig sounds, chewing noises, bone cracks, and other "mouth-made" sounds (due to budget constraints!) in complete silence, and it took ages because we burst out laughing after every take!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Music consumption habits vary for different reasons. In recent years, our listening habits have leaned more toward digital formats for the obvious convenience. However, the advantage of physical formats lies in highlighting the visual universe of the album. Having a vinyl or even a Digipack with stunning artwork! What a pleasure! There's also the unique sound of vinyl, more analog. I'd be curious to listen to "Human Snack" in that format!
Your music style is Brutal Death Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
In terms of influence, we really like bands such as Goratory, Necrophagist, Cryptopsy, Dying Fetus, Aborted, and even some older ones like Pantera, Carcass, etc. We also listen to entirely different styles that can bring an openness to our compositions.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Time and investment! In every project we've been involved in (together or separately), we've always given it 100%. Investing in a band means dedicating a lot of time, not only musically but also in promotion, seeking deals, developing visuals/merchandise/social media, and a website. Financially, it requires a certain investment if you want to produce something of quality! Consistency and efficiency in rehearsals are essential, and we stick to that rigorously. There's no secret: if you want quality tracks, you have to work on them! (But don't forget to have fun because that's the foundation for two buddies making noise together 😊)
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Very simple: a powerful sound with people happy to be there, moving in every direction! Yes, we've experienced it multiple times, especially with Goryptic (but also with the Grind formations we've played in).
What attributes do you think that a new Death Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
It's quite challenging to answer... but if I had to point out something, it would be diversity. By that, I mean compositions with variations in tempos, rhythms, and atmospheres. We're not too fond of Death Metal bands that go full throttle from the beginning to the last second; it can get monotonous. Slow/mid-tempo breaks bring an essential contrast for a piece to come alive. And it emphasizes the fast-paced parts even more. Dying Fetus is a great example of this in the genre.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Death Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Absolutely, and regardless of the style! In 2024, it's impossible to do without them; let's be realistic. If you take Spotify as an example, you listen to an album, and it automatically suggests another in the same style afterward... well, that could be yours! You wouldn't have had that opportunity otherwise. The flip side is that it's a saturated space. There are so many bands to discover! Also, some platforms (if not the majority) tend to promote the more "well-known" bands, burying the emerging scene in the process. But there's no choice; you have to work with it and fight to stand out.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in France (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
I must admit we're only just stepping back into this universe after being away for quite a few years! But from what I can see, there's a lot of movement, and that's a very good thing; the passion is still there. Defining what the underground is today is quite challenging, isn't it?
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I must confess I don't know much, except that Power Metal and Black Metal are quite well represented! (By the way, if you have some really brutal bands, send them our way! :D)
The last 3 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange & new situations in our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
Both, obviously! Seeing close ones affected by a virus about which we know so little is frightening! But for us, it's synonymous with musical creation, time to compose and refine tracks, time to try new things, and succeed in composing a 9-track album in about 2 years! Which is huge for us! :D Without this lockdown, no idea where we would be now; the album most likely wouldn't have been released yet. We've turned this negative and difficult period into a positive and creative one.
What are your future plans?
Simply to continue the Cryptic Process adventure! We're only at the beginning! We have to admit; we did things a bit backward. Usually, a band forms, writes a few tracks, performs live, and much later releases a demo or an album. On our side, we focused on a complete album just the two of us, without doing any concerts! Of course, live performances are planned, and we hope to have as many as possible! But for us, it also means a new adventure because there will only be two of us on stage. We have no idea how it will turn out live, but what's certain is that we'll put all our energy into igniting the crowd and defending "Human Snack"!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
A big thank you for the compliment and for this interview! In conclusion, we'll just say that if you want to support "smaller bands" to help them go further, the only way is to support them by buying their albums and their merchandise! (Plus, the prices are often very fair). For those who love "weird visuals," our 3-panel Digipack is available here:
https://crypticprocess.bandcamp.com/album/human-snack
We don't have the financial and logistical support that a big label can provide; we self-finance everything Cryptic Process releases! Sales will allow us to make T-shirts, vinyl, travel to perform, invest in equipment, prepare the second album, etc. But most importantly... SHARE! It's obvious, but sharing among enthusiasts remains the best way to spread the sound ;)
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
CRYPTIC PROCESS CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/crypticprocess
https://www.instagram.com/crypticprocess/
https://crypticprocess.bandcamp.com/album/human-snack
CRYPT OF DR. GORE CONTACT:
https://sites.google.com/view/cryptofdrgore/merch-distro/c-o-d-g-releases
https://www.facebook.com/cryptofdrgore
https://www.instagram.com/cryptofdrgore/