Album review: Acausal Intrusion - Panpsychism (2023)

Acausal Intrusion - Panpsychism

USA

I, Voidhanger

 

Acausal Intrusion is a death metal collective made up of musicians Nythroth (Feral Lord, Slog, etc.) and Cave Ritual (Irradiated Marrow, Ar'lyxkq'wr, etc.), and “Panpsychism” is their third full-length album since their formation in 2020.

Stylistically, this is experimental death metal with a kind of “freeform" approach reminiscent of bands like Ulcerate, Gorguts and even Morbid Angel. You never really know where the music is going to go next, as each song consists of intricate time-changes and complex rhythms, but at the same time there is also a lot of atmosphere.

Technical death metal gets a bad rap for being overproduced and lacking any sort of feeling, although that is certainly not the case with Acausal Intrusion; on the contrary, the production has a gritty and natural feel while still complementing the music with an audible mix. Think 90s tech-death like Atheist and Cryptopsy; those bands had all the technical chops without sounding like a mindless wankfest, and that’s exactly what Acausal Intrusion achieves with this release.

The tracks on this album range from four to eight minutes in length and feature dark soundscapes and head-twisting riffs that constantly keep you on your toes as the noose tightens around your neck. The drumming is on point and fits the overall structure perfectly, while the utterly barbaric vocals add a bestial element to the music.

I didn’t really know what to make of “Panpsychism” at first, though I knew I was being subjected to something special as every haunting layer and segment began to make sense. It's an album best listened to in its entirety in order fully appreciate its genius, though that doesn't mean you can’t pick out individual tracks. Highlights include: “Encoded Exagrams”, “Statical Universe” and “Molecular Entanglement”

All in all, “Panpsychism” is a solid oeuvre of well-crafted Death Metal with an experimental twist that’s also rough around the edges. Anyone who likes good death metal with an unconventional approach will thoroughly enjoy this album. 
 

Album review: Carnosus - Dogma of The Deceased (2020)

 

Carnosus - Dogma of The Deceased (2020)

Sweden

Satanath Records

Hailing from Örebro, Sweden, Carnosus presents their debut album, “Dogma of the Deceased,” released by Russia's Satanath records. Melodic death metal does not draw me in easily, but Carnosus is an exception: their high-quality music is a seamless balance of melody, technique, and heaviness. Each song is packed to the brim with excellent riffs, incorporating some neoclassical influence. This genre benefits from proper production to stand out, and that's exactly what the band has opted for by teaming up with Fredrik Nordström (At The Gates, Dark Tranquility, Lord Belial, etc.) and Robert Kukla to record “Dogma of the Deceased.” Musically, they share some idiomatic traits with bands like Sacramentum, At The Gates, The Crown, etc., mixed with their own unique sound that also borrows from progressive metal and thrash. The overall result is something to behold, with songs that bleed passion and superb songwriting and musicianship, favouring substance and atmosphere over superfluous technicality. “Dogma of the Deceased” boasts an excellent production, a full sound that really brings out the best in the band and its individual members. The music also doesn't border on sounding plastic, retaining a certain rawness and pugnacious edge that gives the music just the right amount of punch to make them stand out. Check them out if you enjoy good melodic death metal. For fans of Anata, Sarcasm, and Arsis. (HT)

https://carnosus.bandcamp.com/album/dogma-of-the-deceased