ALBUM REVIEW: As The Kingdom Drowns – Psycroptic

Aussie death metal extraordinaires PSYCROPTIC have left a path of devastation in their wake for almost 20 years now and they show no inclination of slowing down just yet. Their seventh full studio album entitled As The Kingdom Drowns is due for release from today via Prosthetic Records and they are about to put the entire death metal division on notice.

We Were The Keepers instantaneously sets the precedent with a wall of utter carnage. Bludgeoning blastbeats and ferocious groove are today’s special and PSYCROPTIC are going to slam it down your throat at terminal velocity. Frozen Gaze throws barrages of frantic shredding and clinical hooks like an out of control baseball pitcher while frontman Jason Peppiatt conducts the onslaught with sharp bursts of feral growls. Directive isn’t quite as frenzied as its predecessors but is still rammed to the brim with riffs. The slower, confident stride is intimidating and emphasizes the heavy hitting instrumentation. Towards the latter stages Joe Haley really flexes his musical accumen by practically burning a hole in his fretboard with frightening precision.

PSYCROPTIC take residence in thrash metal territory as the chaotic energy of Deadlands entices with mouthwatering shredding executed with incredible catchiness before the title track As The Kingdom Drowns brings further throes of chunky riffs to the table that are the audible equivalent of having your face sandblasted. The groove ridden drum work courtesy of Dave Haley is utterly mesmerising, be prepared to pick your jaw up from the floor. He continues to showcase his maniacal talents in the following Beyond The Black where his feet may as well be replaced by machine guns. PSYCROPTIC really hit their sweet spot with this track as their mind boggling musicianship hits optimum gear and feels like LAMB OF GOD just necked a full tub of pre-workout supplement.

Upon These Stones takes a dramatic turn with an ominous echoing intro following by demonic sounding Sumerian infused riffs. The pace is subdued in comparison to what has emerged so far but it only amplifies the intensity. Momentum Of The Void commences with a similar tempo but only for a short period, as the track steam the insanity ramps up significantly with spine tingling shredding. Peppiatt unleashes ferocious bellows like he has been possessed by a demon. You Belong Here, Below ensures that the listener leaves with their head practically spinning off their shoulders with another masterclass of adept composition. Haley must have bones made of vibranium to churn out such phenomenal strings of riffs.

PSYCROPTIC have gathered a huge reputation for being one of the most technical proficient bands in the death metal world but As The Kingdom Drowns feels like they have discovered this new found level of intensity which felt seemingly impossible to achieve and is most certainly not for the faint of heart. Once this album is done with you it may take a few moments to gather what remains of your body after submerging you in a sea of unwavering destruction.

Rating: 9/10

As The Kingdom Drowns is out now via Prosthetic Records

Like PSYCROPTIC on Facebook