Review by Stephen Pedicino
Blazing, technical, and heavy.
Those are prime words which I would use to describe these Aussie metallers, Psycroptic. Like them or not, those three adjectives are irrefutable. But if you’re in the mood for barbaric head-whirling I would suggest more rudimentary death metal. This band is technical, and with technicality comes a certain level of attention for enjoyment. Yes, death metal IS more than blastbeats and grunts. Just like Wendy’s is more than fast food!
It may take a few listens to absorb the title track. Instantly, the listener is bombarded with complex death metal grooves that certify the abstract talent of this band. Psycroptic’s rhythms aren’t solidly based around chord progression. You’ll get plenty of chugging, single-note chords played in a melodically chaotic way, but don’t expect many hooks or catchy moments that stand out from the rest. The game plan is homogenous in a way. There are moments in songs like “Horde in Devolution” and “Removing the Common Bond” that are rather catchy, though I wouldn’t recommend popping in some Psycroptic to get a party going. Joe Haley proves to have good ability on guitar, but include some more solos next time around! There isn’t a single one on Ob(Servant)! If one listens closely, there really isn’t much breathing room in the song structures for solos. I know they don’t make the song, but sometimes they add a nice touch!
The drumming is great. David Haley imparts some impressive blast beats and footwork, not only with regard to speed, but also synchronicity. Precise and blistering…He and his brother Joe were apparently born to play technical death metal! The vocals are mid-ranged growls/shouts. The growls fit the style decently at best, but the shouts are a bit rough on the ears. They don’t really hold much emotion. But then again, if you’re looking for something emotional you probably wouldn’t look towards technical death metal. The deep growls are probably the best aspect, as the higher pitches and Meshuggah-esqe shouts sound forced.
Ob(Servant) has good posture, but proves to be indistinct during some of it’s sections. While the guitar rhythms are more fluent than a lot of technical death metal out there, many are interchangeable. When the album is done, you’ll remember it as a chaotic blur instead of a collection of distinguished songs. The tracks are designed for those who focus on musicianship and order in the seemingly disorderly. The mixing of the album is nearly perfect; everything sounds balanced and powerful. If Psycroptic can expand their sound and distinguish their songs with future releases, I can see greater success in store.