Cryptic Shift: The Imminent Invasion
The possibility of other lifeforms beyond what exists on planet Earth has been a widely researched and speculated topic of discussion throughout many generations. Distorted Sound may have discovered a breakthrough in opening communications with the other species which may inhabit the galaxy as we received an intriguing transmission from a collective of musicians who claim to reside in the realms of Astrodeath. The entity known as CRYPTIC SHIFT have been meticulously gathering their tools and refining their skills to bring them one step closer to the domination of Earth and the next step in this conquest is the release of their debut full length effort entitled Visitations From Enceladus.
“The tracks have many dynamics down from atmospheric spacial bliss up to the speed and intensity of a Boonta Eve podrace!” declares frontman Xander Bradley. “There’s sci-fi sound FX, a ton of solos and plasma. There’s also an extremely in-depth accompanying space adventure tale told within the lyrics, artworks and beyond.”
Amongst various other influences the quartet combine the elaborate song structures of THE FACELESS with the otherworldly intensity of VEKTOR to construct intricate pieces which take you on a thought provoking and euphoric voyage through the cosmos. “We’ve always taken a professional mindset towards all aspects of this band from the business to the actual playing which has been cultivated since we started. We have been developing the compositional aspects of these songs for quite a few years, we pushed our playing abilities beyond what we were currently capable of and intended to create one of the coolest and most sci-fi albums ever made,” discusses Xander. “We’re into albums that pushed the boundaries and introduced unheard of techniques at the time. ATHEIST‘s Unquestionable Presence, MARTYR‘s Warp Zone, Obscura by GORGUTS, latter-period DEATH, as well as great modern bands like OBSCURA and REVOCATION. Technical music is in our DNA and we bond over it”.
CRYPTIC SHIFT pour all their efforts into providing an enthralling, comprehensive experience to accompany the technically proficient musicianship. This includes the captivating conceptual themes which run throughout the course of their releases. Their passion for their craft is immediately evident. “Enceladus is the sixth largest of the many moons of Saturn, a most mesmerising planet. The moon is an essentially a ball of ice but with a global subsurface ocean hidden beneath, which makes it one of the most likely places in our solar system to support life,” explains Xander.
“I spent a lot of time engrossed in the discoveries towards possible life made by astronomers including the well-publicised Cassini orbiter, planned missions such as the H.A.V.O.C. (High Altitude Venus Operational Concept) and ELF (Enceladus Life Finder) and then onto many proposed propulsion systems of the future like light sails and even Alcubierre drives. But then you get onto mind-melting obstacles like time-dilation. I find it absolutely fascinating, the possibility of venturing outside the Earth’s sphere of influence; it makes the occurrences on this world seem so pointless, when you think about what is theoretically within reach. As a basis for the world of Visitations… there is an insectoid-type alien species which escaped Enceladus via the geyser plumes in the south pole and landed on Earth’s moon. After what occurs in our Cosmic Dreams release, our character comes into contact with them while investigating an abandoned moon base before travelling down to the planet to confront his destiny.”
Once more the outfit have recruited the services of trusted artist Asai Nagamasa to breathe life into their concepts, an aspect of their releases that CRYPTIC SHIFT take particular pride in. “It was an obvious choice to bring her in again, and with the complexity of the story and imagery I already had ingrained in my head it must have been quite a challenge,” admits Xander. “She prevailed exceptionally however, with four amazing pieces of art; even though she lives in Russia I would love to see them in person one day. Many have said she echoes some of the great sci-fi artists of the 70s and 80s with the mysterious vibe it gives off. Who is this guy stood in the red liquid? What is this strange realm? What’s in the tower on the horizon? And what is the guy holding in his hand? I can tell you it depicts the time-wound of Rasskhazu, a hidden realm beyond all forbidden dimensions. The character has journeyed here in search of ancient relics. Urns of power which will help him defeat a foe; they are hidden in subterranean chambers beneath the tower of Upshukkinakku. But of course there are minions to battle along the way, imps sent by the main enemy across dimensions to hunt him down! It is very much like an old video game, questing for an item to let you pass certain areas into the next level to defeat the boss!”
CRYPTIC SHIFT are not shy of challenging themselves or their listeners. A shining example of this is the opening track to Visitations From Enceladus, Moonbelt Immolator. A 25 minute expedition which traverses through a variety of chapters that are finely tuned to harmoniously blend together with the unfolding instrumentation. “It plunges the listener right into our grid zones rather than shying away and placing it at the opposite end of the album,” states Xander. “I knew it was going to be a longer song as the accompanying story grew in content. It’s not some atmospheric black metal style song with 12 minutes of minimal ambience to beef up the run time, it is a continuous evolution of riffs and science fiction worship. We try to tell the story also within the music. A peaceful flight through space may be translated as clean guitars using major seventh extensions but with chromaticism to convey an eeriness. A frantic space fighter pursuit dipping between asteroids is conveyed as very thrashy with guitar solos and arpeggiated riffs with sliding harmonics sounding like plasma blasts. I believe that when a riff or section is started, there immediately exists a perfect version somewhere in the future, maybe in an alternate timeline. But it is then our job to try and reach that goal and match up as many points as the ‘true’ song, I feel that we came extremely close with the four tracks on Visitations From Enceladus. I would like to bring in a little collaborative writing for the future material to have some natural feel.”
Visitations From Enceladus is out now via Blood Harvest.
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