Ohhhhh I thought I smelled something vile and putrid just now… Sniff…Sniff. Nope, not me, I took a shower today with my watering hose…Not my shoes….hmmmmm Oh it’s the new Cryptworm album – Infectious Pathological Waste. That’s what I smell…..
These UK filthy death metal merchants released two prior albums and some EPs. Really quality death metal, and when looking at the label, you should know this will be gnarly. Cryptworm conjure up the filth ala Undergang, Rottrevore, early Carcass / Autopsy, and Demilich. The same three fellas return: Tibor Hanyi – Bass, Guitars, Vocals, Joss Farrington – Bass, Jamie Wintle – Drums. I have really enjoyed all their other releases, but by the third album, we do want to see maybe an album taking it to the next level, and that is exactly what Infectious Pathological Waste does. I mean, look at the album cover, yet another gore-drenched cover, and this fits the song titles to a T.
Eight songs in 35 minutes, and “Gallons of Molten Hominal Goo” opens the album. I actually ordered several gallons of this on the Amazon dark web. It comes in several different variants, like vinyl. The splattergasm olive green is the best. As soon as the drum rolls erupt and the putrid, clogged sewer pipe Demilich/Undergang-inspired vox explode, it is clearly evident that some production adjustments were made. There is more bottom end on this sucker, and while the Cryptworm sound remains intact, it sounds a bit more crushing. I love their guitar tone, and when the galloping starts at the 1.45 section, it is pure classic 1990. The song meanders into a quick blast, then to a slow moment, and more galloping. If this song does not conjure up the brown note within you, then nothing will except some YobaGoya (watch The League TV show, for that reference).
“Drowning in Purulent Excrementia” goes right into a massive blast beat with filthy vocals. The power comes when the band slows down, and those vocals take over, so filthy and filled with carbuncles. The song gets into a gallop, then more blasting. The guitar tone is dense yet discernible and does not sound like a mess. The blasting, at the 2.30 section, is excellent, and the snare sound is perfect. It cuts through without any high-pop sounds. I know our editor in chief will enjoy this drum tone.
The title track has a nice hoppy opening before the isolated guitar riff takes us to a terrific galloping moment and then some double pounding. The song returns to the beginning, opening with a hoppy slow moment. This part is actually quite happy-sounding, then the faster sections take over, with the plopped-out, stench-filled vocals. These slower moments, incorporated, will definitely start some circle pits. I want the band to film their circle pits during these moments, and if in the UK, the fans better be eating some fish and chips while slamming into each other. There are slower and doomier pathways to this song, and true heaviness is what this band is made of.
“Encephalic Feast” ends the album with a badass isolated guitar riff opening things up. The rest of the music joins in, as well as the vocals. This slow, dirgy, and quicksand-like pace gets even filthier with the vocal cackles and growls. I feel as if I am sinking in quicksand, not because the song is boring, but because this section is so damn dense. The song picks up the pace and some cool cymbal hits over the fast moments, then back into the slower pace with a killer growl. The song trails off in the doomy heavy fashion, as it opened, and is an excellent way to end the album.
Cryptworm has released their finest album, and Infectious Pathological Waste has it going on. From a better production, killer artwork, heavy and catchy death metal, and most of all, fun. The band has fun with the lyrics and song titles, and I enjoy seeing that in the industry. As of now, this is the filthiest, stinkiest, death metal album of 2026, and I am loving every minute of this stench fest. Driller Killer and no filler.
