Psycroptic: Psycroptic (CD Digipak)

Tasmania’s Psycroptic have long occupied their own space within technical death metal. While plenty of bands in the genre concentrate on sheer complexity, Psycroptic have always understood that technical ability means considerably more when it’s attached to memorable riffs and actual songs. Their 2015 self-titled album is a great example of that philosophy.

Opening with “Echoes to Come,” the record immediately puts Joe Haley’s extraordinary guitar playing front and centre. His riffs twist through constantly changing rhythms without losing their sense of groove, backed by the formidable rhythm section of bassist Todd Stern and drummer Dave Haley.

Vocalist Jason Peppiatt gives the material an aggressive edge that complements the precision underneath. Tracks such as “Ending,” “A Soul Once Lost” and “Cold” demonstrate how Psycroptic can move between technical death metal, thrash and progressive elements without allowing the songs to become exercises in musicianship.

“Setting the Skies Ablaze” and “The World Discarded” are particularly strong examples of the band’s ability to combine intricate guitar work with genuine momentum. There’s an organic quality to the performances that keeps the record from sounding overly clinical, something that can easily become a problem within technical death metal.

The album also marked another important stage in Psycroptic’s international career. By this point the Tasmanian band had already established a considerable reputation outside Australia, and Psycroptic reinforced their standing as one of the country’s finest extreme metal exports.

For anyone who appreciates technical death metal but still wants riffs they can actually remember once the record finishes, Psycroptic is an excellent addition to the collection.