Cruentis Hails from Quesnel, BC Canada where they deliver up a heavy dose of Melodic Death Metal. Cruentis was formed by Guitarist/Vocalist Tyler DeMerchant and Bassist/Vocalist Jesse Dean. Guitarist-Matt Sargent & Drummer-Daniel Willsmore were added later in order to complete the band. Cruentis draws inspiration from bands across the metal spectrum, such as Dimmu Borgir, Kalmah, Amon Amarth, Opeth and many more.
Here at Christian Molten Metal we don't Normaly engage in reviews of Death Metal bands mostly due to their extreme Metal Vocal styles. However, when a Death Metal band is found to have vocals of a cleaner more comprehendable nature then we are sure to share.
Choosing a band name is one of the first tasks that every respectable band is faced with. In an interview at The Metal Resource Cruentis explains how they decided on their Band's moniker : "Well, our previous band was called “Destroy the Abomination”, which we all felt wasn’t appropriate for a melodeath band. It was simply too brutal. In essence, we wanted to capture the meaning behind what we do with one word. Being that we are stained in The Blood of Christ, Cruentis was a good find as it both embodies the meaning of what we are as well as sounds unique and different. Cruentis being the latin plural word for “blood stained.”
Here at Christian Molten Metal we don't Normaly engage in reviews of Death Metal bands mostly due to their extreme Metal Vocal styles. However, when a Death Metal band is found to have vocals of a cleaner more comprehendable nature then we are sure to share.
Choosing a band name is one of the first tasks that every respectable band is faced with. In an interview at The Metal Resource Cruentis explains how they decided on their Band's moniker : "Well, our previous band was called “Destroy the Abomination”, which we all felt wasn’t appropriate for a melodeath band. It was simply too brutal. In essence, we wanted to capture the meaning behind what we do with one word. Being that we are stained in The Blood of Christ, Cruentis was a good find as it both embodies the meaning of what we are as well as sounds unique and different. Cruentis being the latin plural word for “blood stained.”
Concerning the Cruentis' commitment to Christ, the band stated the following in an interview with The Metal Resource: “I think I speak for all of us when I say Christ is the center. [We] have no purpose outside of Him. Everything stems from that.“
In 2016 Cruentis released their full-length independent debut album titled 'Cold Stone'. This release finds the band mixing in enough clean vocals allowing them to appeal to a larger audience not unlike what we have seen in bands like Ecthirion & Hilastherion. Cold Stone is comprised of 7 hard hitting tracks however the album escapes being labeled as an EP due to the length of their tunes. There are 3 tracks that are well over the 7 min range and one track that is over 9 min long with the album clocking in at close to 47 min in length. For an independent release, the production is solid and well thought out.
The cover art is a metaphor with the homeless girl representing our spiritual state before coming to Christ. We held out our hearts pleading for Jesus to change it and dwell in it.
The cover art is a metaphor with the homeless girl representing our spiritual state before coming to Christ. We held out our hearts pleading for Jesus to change it and dwell in it.
The Vocals are handled by both Tyler DeMerchant & Jesse Dean where we find a wide range of delivery styles with everything from clean to melancholy to Death and even some alternative styles. Yes, there' are noticeable Vocal variances from track to track without any tune seeming strangely out of place. Both Tyler and Jesse do growls and screams, both lead and backup, varying from song to song, and sometimes switching roles even in one single song. Tyler handles the clean vocals, both lead and backup.
The Guitar work of both Tyler DeMerchant & Matt Sargent are nothing short of spot on proper shredn that hits like a run away freight train haulin explosives. The guitars range from ambient to hard driving to Doom to acoustic with plenty of over-the-top solos mixed throughout.
Drummer Daniel Willsmore is the mad man behind the kit laying down some ambient speed drum lines which are in keeping with the genre. Willsmore does a good job at mixing in various time changes and propeling each tune forward with plenty of energy.
Jesse Dean handles Bass for the band adding a thicker heavier sound with his thundrous touches.
When it comes to the band's uncompromising lyrics the band states the following in the interview at The Metal Resource: "Part of the reason we wanted to start this band was that there is a distinct lack of Christian Melodeath bands of the type that we like. There are many good bands, but to find this kind of sound with uncompromising lyrics is hard. We wanted to bring something solid to the Christian metal scene with authentic Christian values."
Mathew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
"Path Of Anathema"
Traveling down the widened path
Walking in the dark
Waiting for an outstretched hand
Hoping for the afterlife
What goes around comes around
And now you're sure to get what you deserve
And when your heart is bled dry
When there's nothing more to give
You'll be lost until the end of time
Why have you laid your trust in man
When havoc wreaks this fallen land
It's the path of anathema
Faint
It's the feeling of falling
The hate keeps on calling
Strain
It's the feeling of crawling
The burden appalling
Walking through this moral wasteland
Eyes sewn shut yet open wide
Watching, waiting, lurking, baiting
Feeding hopeless death inside
Inside
You stand by and watch your future die
Inside, live the lie
Inside
You stand by and watch your future die, inside
Inside, live the lie
And die
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
"Path Of Anathema"
Traveling down the widened path
Walking in the dark
Waiting for an outstretched hand
Hoping for the afterlife
What goes around comes around
And now you're sure to get what you deserve
And when your heart is bled dry
When there's nothing more to give
You'll be lost until the end of time
Why have you laid your trust in man
When havoc wreaks this fallen land
It's the path of anathema
Faint
It's the feeling of falling
The hate keeps on calling
Strain
It's the feeling of crawling
The burden appalling
Walking through this moral wasteland
Eyes sewn shut yet open wide
Watching, waiting, lurking, baiting
Feeding hopeless death inside
Inside
You stand by and watch your future die
Inside, live the lie
Inside
You stand by and watch your future die, inside
Inside, live the lie
And die
"Cold Stone"
...I feel myself drenched in promise
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb...
Metal lovers around the world, it's time to dust off those speakers with a fresh slab of Molten Metal. If your like me and have been looking for some uncompromising hard hitting Melodic Death Metal then look no further than Canada's very own - Cruentis. Pick up a copy of Cruentis - 'Cold Stone' debut album and release the Metal within. This release can be found on iTunes or at the band's facebook page here: www.facebook.com/CruentisBand/app/190322544333196
Musicians:
Tyler DeMerchant-Vocals/Guitars
Matt Sargent-Guitars
Jesse Dean-Bass/Vocals
Daniel Willsmore-Drums
Tyler DeMerchant-Vocals/Guitars
Matt Sargent-Guitars
Jesse Dean-Bass/Vocals
Daniel Willsmore-Drums