Whilst not commonly known as an extraterrestrial hotspot, Leeds (United Kingdom) faced an encounter of another kind, as 2015 saw Xander Bradley (Vocals/Guitar) and Ryan Sheperson (Drums) set out to accomplish a project embodying their joint passion for the art of science fiction and heavy metal music. With CRYPTIC SHIFT taking form as a crossover between the worlds of Technical Thrash / Death Metal and all things Sci-Fi, the two set out to spread their influence across the UK, and soon venturing across the globe. After steady lineup refinement, the pair finally found themselves other like-minded musicians within the UK scene, adding John Riley (Bass Guitar), releasing Cryptic Shift's debut EP 'Beyond the Celestial Realms' (2016). Later joined by Joe Bradley (Guitar), Cryptic Shift set targets on their first debut full-length record, 'Visitations from Enceladus' (2020).

'Visitations from Enceladus' brought the sci-fi thrashing death squad to the worldwide playing-field, receiving critical acclaim for its adventurous, progressive technical death thrash compositions, a twisted form of Extreme Metal simply referred to as the "Phenomenal Technological Astrodeath", including 25-minute epic 'Moonbelt Immolator' - scoring the band success upon Planet Earth with live appearances in the UK, Europe and Australian territories, touring with bands such as Bedsore, VoiVod, Cattle Decapitation, Incantation, and appearing at festivals such as Killtown Deathfest, UK Deathfest, Incineration, Damnation, ArcTanGent, and Melbourne's Into the Fall. Not only was the world introduced to Cryptic Shift's music, but also the first instalment of their unique, concept storytelling explored within the record's lyrical passages. With guitarist Joe Bradley leaving the quartet, and soon after replaced by Joss Farrington (Guitar), the current lineup of Cryptic Shift signed with Metal Blade Records and began to craft their second full length attack, 'Overspace & Supertime'.

Continuing on from the conceptual and musical themes from their debut record, 'Overspace & Supertime' sets out to blast away Extreme Metal fans with a new standard of Technical Thrash/Death Metal showmanship, including returning influences of progressive writing, harmonised with their fantastical storytelling. "The concept of Overspace & Supertime plays as an alternative reality to the happenings of Visitations from Enceladus, taking our character into new dimensions filled with both greater adventures and more bizarre encounters" states drummer Ryan Sheperson, "whilst the concept themes of our sci-fi tale has grown, so have our efforts in synthesising it with the ultimate Astrodeath soundscape. The record sets out to achieve a new standard of musicianship across the band and takes the listener on a deeper journey through the fusion of our influences in the Thrash/Death Metal style, with some exciting twists and turns along the way". Join Cryptic Shift on their mission beyond our comprehensive solar system with the release of 'Overspace & Supertime', coming to Earth on February 27th 2026 via Metal Blade Records.