| German Import | On the Outskirts, released in late 2007, is the first song-oriented album by Cryptic Scenery since 2003's Ontic (which was followed by a number of limited, briefer vinyl and cd-r releases) - although there are four succinct, austere instrumentals to be found here as well.

The prevailing mood is a brooding, plaintive one that occasionally descends into outright darkness. However, this is not to imply a lack of melodies - on the contrary, many of the compositions here are by far at the catchier end of the Cryptic Scenery repertoire.

The arrangements for most songs are fully fleshed out, with a frequent wall-of-sound feeling... shiny, guitars joined by ethereal keyboards form a highly atmospheric sonic ambience.

Besides, On the Outskirts is showcasing a more driving, rhythmic streak compared to earlier releases, with added intensity to the low end spectrum - more bass oomph than ever before. The lyrics are, as mostly the case with Cryptic Scenery songs, covering existential terrain - death, loss, loneliness, sadness and persistence, in accordance with the interpretive vocal delivery.

All in all, this might be Cryptic Scenery's most colourful and compelling song-dominated album as yet... but who knows where the future path will lead?

Listen to MP3s at Cryptic Scenery's MySpace page.