Review Summary: Finland doing Death Metal right as they have many times before.
Cryptborn's debut LP is a very enjoyable death meath album due to raw, crusty production that lies there in. This 5 member band from Finland represents their country quite well. Although not as technical and awesome as Demilich's "Nespithe", their forefathers would still be quite proud; but in all actuallity Cryptborn's playing style more accurately befits the Swedish type. "In the Grasp of the Starving Dead" is an album filled with heavy, crushing riffs. Every track gives a solid attempt at creating an atmosphere of pounding production. Tracks like "A Nebulous Parting" and "Rotten Gates of Heaven" constantly progress though barings riffs that never let up. Even during slower passages the "naked" production desecrates ears with over the top distortions and audible bass kicks from drummer Atomosm.
Although the production and guitar tones are brutal, the mastering really brings everything into harmonious unisons. When "Rotten Gates of Heaven" is played at full volume potentials, the riff tones are aggressive, yet comforting. There is just enough variation to the songs to provide variability and enjoyability. "Gift of Rotten Flesh" lingers with certain compositions until the full impact is established before progression into other passages; such as the blast beat section that last for at least a minute until seemlessly blends right into a harmonious slow tempo'd breakdown[not the cheesy kind though].
Being new to the Finnish death metal scene, Cryptborn have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with. With only 25 minutes of easy to digest, solid death metal, they have shown why Finland is a well known respectable source for quality death metal.
