Cytotoxin - Biographyte

Release Date - 11th April 2025

Words - Tony Bliss

Although the ultra-technical, post-deathcore strain of modern extreme metal often prioritises a great sound over actual songs, Germany’s Cytotoxin undoubtedly have the tunes to match their chops. Frequently coming across as more the work of some impossibly dexterous muso robots than mere humans, this is the sort of blistering digi-grind wizardry that will at least make sure your head is nodding impulsively before it is lopped clean off your shoulders, and Biographyte represents the band working at the very peak of their righteously brutal powers.

Those looking for any radical departures or sonic curveballs will leave disappointed, however, it would be ridiculous to overlook what a demonstration of strength these eleven tracks are. ‘Hope Terminator’ erupts out of the traps like a rampaging Xenomorph, it’s wild guitar leads and depth-charge breakdowns making for a deceptively melodic and groove-laden opener, yet always underpinned by that collective desire to remain as obnoxiously destructive as possible.

‘Behind Armoured Doors’ is a white-knuckle adrenaline rush, the pace rarely dipping below ‘absolutely fooking rapid’ until the band slam on the breaks and usher in a cast-iron slamming section right at the end for maximum, murderous impact The title track follows suit with that blast ‘n’ bounce ethos in full effect, and even offers the courtesy of throwing a uber-soulful guitar solo into the mix. Being frank there’s not a dud moment amongst Biographyte’s forty-eight minutes, however the one-two punch of ‘The Everslave’ and ‘Eventless Horizon’ is seriously impressive, both marauding tech-death barn burners that touch new heights of superhuman musicianship and deathly, sewer-level guttural spew.

Cytotoxin’s music certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted, and you are always a few seconds away from something brain-spinningly berserk or weapons-grade heavy. That being said, there is sophistication and class here that the majority of their peers simply can’t match - expertly put together, state-of-the-art death metal delivered with the intent of a spree-killing cyborg given a nitro-boost. Lovely stuff.

8.5/10