Psycroptic

Ob(Servant)

Ob(Servant)


Reviewed By Simon Milburn
Published 19/12/2008

Bow down to the finest extreme metal band this country has ever seen

Tasmania's finest musical export, Psycroptic, unleashed hell with their third long player, 2006's Symbols Of Failure. It was their first (and eventually only) release for Dutch based Neurotic Records and the start of something bigger for the group in terms of overseas exposure. It did well for vocalist Jason Peppiatt, guitarist Joe Haley, bassist Cameron Grant and drummer Dave Haley, and the group did make it overseas several times, including a recent first U.S. tour. But label problems soon arose, and the group found themselves stepping up to the plate with the big boys when they signed to Nuclear Blast for a worldwide release of their fourth effort. Back home, they inked a deal with local company Stomp Entertainment for what would be dubbed Ob(Servant).

It's no holds barred with the opening title track, Ob(servant), as it clearly signals that it's business as usual for Psycroptic. But soon enough, a strong groove appears behind the frantic pace and furious fretwork that emphasises the top notch song writing that Psycroptic have produced this time around. Sure there's been no shortage of quality tunes in the past from this quartet, but there seems to be a noticeable progression in that department this time around without a doubt. This is reinforced with the brilliant A Calculated Effort which really shows the band's new found love of dynamics through varying tempos more so than ever before. But if you think that Psycroptic have lost their extreme touch, then Slaves Of Nil and The Shifting Equilibrium will certainly put those concerns to rest

Dave Haley's relentless work behind the kit shines on the chaotic Removing The Common Bond before the band settle back into a smooth groove with Horde In Devolution which still isn't short flowing riffs and Peppiatt's dark, growling vocals. Horde In Devolution is quite possibly the definitive example of Psycroptic's mastery of song writing dynamics, although the brilliant Blood Stained Lineage, the furious Immortal Army Of One and the finale Initiate aren't slouches by any stretch either.

If you thought Symbols Of Failure was the band's finest hour, then Ob(Servant) is your new favourite Psycroptic album. This is the pinnacle of everything that Psycroptic is about and they've absolutely nailed it. Flawlessly executed and brilliantly written, Ob(Servant) is a monster of an album that should be a part of every tech death metal fan's collection.

(Stomp Entertainment)

More from Psycroptic

Ob(Servant)

Reviewed By Simon Milburn
Published 19/12/2008