Australia’s PLASMODIUM are back with their second offering of Blackened Death Metal psychedelia from the cosmos. Out via Transcending Obscurity Records on April 30th.
Desolate ambience reverberates from the outer reaches as a dissonant assault of raw, chaotic guitars fire into a furious bout of aggression atop mountainous and unwieldy drumming. The blistering supernova of discordant and abrasive soundscapes is joined by equally brutal vocals that spew a malignant vitriol in perfect keeping with the searing instrumentals. A lot of nuance in the harsh mix adds to the claustrophobic and dense sound such as eerie guitar work amidst the riffing, hollow-sounding synths and generally subtle touches aside from the pulverising onslaught. The isolating experience that this music can provide is certainly off to a good start as plucky bass cuts through the abyssal riffing and drums. This is definitely not going to be an easy or pleasant listen, something I welcome gladly, a band whom offer an otherworldly experience without making it easily accessible. Be forewarned, you are in for a caustic but hugely rewarding listen if you venture onwards.
With an almost bestial edge to the frenzied impact of the music, it cannot easily be compared to any other band. The visceral and daunting experience is one of epic proportions and torturous soundscapes, this may attract or frighten equally and that is clearly not an issue for the creators. Delving further in, we see the only respite come in the form of ambient passages that seem to draw in the barbarian riffs, drums and vocals like a black hole, opening portals to elsewhere before returning our scathing assault seemingly unharmed. Through impenetrable layers of unforgiving instrumental abuse, it is clear that a huge and scathing psychosis lies within this music that when unlocked can open the mind to a number of unearthly horrors, destroying anything that falters before it willingly. The blend of sheer brutish hatred, nuanced creepiness and overall a unique, expansive quality to the sound lends itself heavily to why the music is so wonderful to behold even if it may not sound sonically pleasant to most. This is, of course, how many see Extreme Metal overall but eventually the outer reaches of oddities and extremity can be seen on the horizon and this is a shining example of how superb that can be.
The track layout itself is an interesting factor, going from two shorter (under 4 minute pieces) to a 9, 18 and 12 minute track over the latter sections. As a five song album, this is a very unusual progression indeed and one that defies a logical path, which is why it seems so gloriously exciting. Upon first listen, the grinding convulsions of the first two pieces leave plentiful excitement for how these crushing monoliths will reappear and mutate on the longer songs. Indeed they do warp and contort into something most spectacular, the progression and experimentation taking dissonance and ambient in huge quantities and injecting them into some of the most ruthless and feral Blackened Death Metal savagery one could hope for. Malicious and yet atmospherically enchanting, you will feel your very psyche deteriorate into a cosmic pool of unfathomable terror, to be drowned in the utter darkness of the cosmos while energies of unfavourable intent seep into your very mind. Celestial rays radiate through your body as the depraved and pulsating Extreme Metal invades the mind, leaving anyone who dare venture through this record in awe.
This is the zenith of potent and dissonant Black / Death Metal, without feeling like a pretentious experiment to just create something for the sake of it. This is a purposeful slice of urgent and unforgiving music that is filled with intent, a hostile one at that. This record feels tangibly dangerous, untamed and like something truly terrifying has been harnessed in its creative process, one that produced marvellous results. An organic, eccentric and distinguished piece of work to say the least.
NATTSKOG'S BLOG 