Review by Sam on January 30, 2026.

First of all, I have to shout out the absolutely brilliant cover artworks chosen by this band. The simple black and white on the front of this EP, entitled Reeking Gunk Of Abhorrence, depicting a moldy, cobweb-enshrouded, chopped-in-half corpse superlatively representing the analog, old school death metal contained herein. The logo is also pretty sweet, done in that indecipherable pencil-drawn style that slowly becomes legible the longer you stare at it. The cover sketch of the first EP strong>Verminosis was also nicely done, with the logo on that one a direct nod to Entombed, one of Cryptworm’s myriad influences.

As for the music, the first thing that grabs my attention is the voice of Tibor Hanyi. It appears to have descended a couple of octaves to certifiable Antti Boman levels compared to the debut, so this is a welcome change. Drummer Joe Knight still isn’t playing any double bass, and I’m still not complaining. He will, however, deliver some slow blast beats as well as some speedier Mick Harris stylings. The analogous production values remain intact, offering a warm yet decayed overall sound and vibe that is 100% listenable.

Although album opener 'Festering Maggot Infestation' is a serviceable demonstration of OSDM chops and songwriting, it wasn’t until the 4:20 mark of the title track that I said, “Uh oh, here comes, this gonna be trouble,” a la legendary blues man Mashed Potato Johnson. The abyssal yawp of Tibor over the ever spiraling low string symphony confirms that the ideology of Cryptworm continues to evolve. 'Self-Dismemberment' (fucking killer song title!) is propelled by one-footed blasts, Slayer beats, and tornadic riffage that would be sure to put a smile on the face of Chris Reifert. The riff to end all riffs, however, can be found in the introductory moments of EP closer 'Cesspool Of Perpetual Decay'. A ringing palm muted open note augmented with some beefy floor toms morbidly festers into an evilly tremolo sequence, and it just flat out rules. This damnable duo then rocks your face for five minutes with a torrential downpour of desolation that led me to reach directly for the repeat button. No solos. None needed.

All I can say about these dudes is wow. I had kind of given up on contemporary death metal acts, but Cryptworm is a time machine that’ll beam you instantaneously back to 1989, no questions asked. The fact that this band exists and even has an album coming out this year gives me hope not only for the death metal genre, but for humanity itself. 

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Alex on May 20, 2020.

Cryptworm like the name would imply, has taken some time to get where they're are now as a band, though foreseeable it may be the time and effort sacrificed to arrive at this junction, the slug is here, nonetheless. Due out on Me Saco Un Ojo, is the band's latest EP that stomps through slushy swamps of sickness, Reeking Gunk of Abhorrence. If you're new to bands like Hyperdontia, Cerebral Rot, Undergang and even Ulcerot, then you have much catching up to do, because here in the death metal underbelly, things move rather fast, making it easy to get left behind.

It’s the mud they like, and often attributed to mud are its sluggish and dirty properties, which you will find to be the sonic recurrence on Reeking Gunk of Abhorrence. Offering a short yet satiating collection of 4 messy meals, Cryptworm stir-up a nasty sapropel of deep gutturals, sloppy drumming as if the sticks were covered in slime; and a drunken regurgitated goo of guitar riffs. Appearing to be within the puss-filled parameters of Hyperdontia and Undergang, opening track 'Festering Maggot Infestation' arrives with a most diabolical canker of deformation, ripe with a nauseating stench of old school death metal, Cryptworm vouch the helminth is very much alive, active and even more hazardous to any living organism than before.

Title-track 'Reeking Gunk of Abhorrence' maintains the catchy yet filthy contour that prevailed over their debut EP Verminosis and here it's no different, though I would say the production appears slightly more definitive to unearth and sustain the material's effect. Some sections of the music such as on 'Festering Maggot Infestation' and 'Cesspool of Perpetual Decay' have a head-bashing, fist-pumping, waist-swinging, up roaring type of groove to it that keeps the music moving, so you know its 20-minute run feels even shorter. If you love the deep, stomachy vocals like what you'd hear on a Demilich or Undergang, then Reeking Gunk of Putrefaction has you covered in venomous disgorge; get swallowed!

Since sprouting from an infected sore somewhere in the United Kingdom, Cryptworm's sound and aesthetic without doubt was that region's answer to the American underground of death metal. What other sphacelated things the band holds are yet to be revealed.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10