Ostensibly a thrash band when formed back in 2013 under the name of Distillator, Dutch trio Cryptosis have been moving away from the T-word since their change of name and introduction of sci-fi themes and heavy lashings of blackened prog. It can be hard to really get a grip on what's going on with initial listens to this, just their second album under the name, such is the mix of genres at play here; not least when they're buried under layers of synths! First track proper Faceless Matter is one of the more straightforwardly charging pieces present, even drowned in the keyboards, thanks to the blasting drum attack and snarled vocals, guitars charging off and doing their own thing. It's a little overwhelming at first, yet once used to this you can see the vision of the band in the epic sci-fi atmosphere being created.

Even the production is used to give this a boost, although the plastic-sounding sheen covering the drums isn't quite to taste. It certainly seems to be a unique sound, the blackened undertones and atmospheric coating softening the technical metal beneath without removing its power, like a stranger, more adventurous Nocturnus. The band themselves are more than capable musicians, having been in various other bands at points particularly site favourite In Aphelion for drummer Marco Prij, and you can hear their skills throughout. Songs tend to be deceptively simple bursts of sound, such as Cryptosphere or The Silent Call, these having stronger thrash identities present with galloping rhythms and riffs but the latter also being stranger with an Arcturus-esque vibe at points.

Ascending, conversely, leans towards the prog still with an aggressive style yet completely dropping the guitars for a brief keyboard-led section, allowing the melodic aspect of the band to emerge a little more strongly thereafter. Absent Presence stands out with its more mid-paced black metal feel, downright Burzumic thanks to those plinking keyboards and wall of sound riffage, and the more epic synths that open In Between Realities feel like you're listening to a different band altogether, the admittedly technical riffing beneath giving the sort of steely spine that you wish the band would have throughout. The epic melodies of closer Coda - Wander Into the Light help it feel like a concept album, albeit one with enough ups and downs that it can feel as though the quality wavers, too.

Cryptosis clearly have an idea in mind of what they wish to achieve here and depending on your tastes this will either gel perfectly or remain inscrutable, like some distant star. Moments like interlude Motionless Balance are effective enough atmospherically but not always fun to listen to, and the metal aspects of, say, Reign of Infinite are there in its widdly galloping but buried enough to possibly be frustrating for those who like their prog-thrash a little more muscular and straightforwardly impactful. Yet at their best Cryptosis sound like no-one else at the moment and those who find space-themed metal thrilling will find much to appreciate about Celestial Death as they mine its secrets. Others may find this an experiment that doesn't quite work, perhaps to be solidified on a future album but admirable regardless - wherever you land, this album is worth trying.