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Political and religious lies. The poor condition of the human race upon dreams of the everlasting universe. What stemmed the creation of their latest EP, really enticed me to check it out. Considering what’s going on in our world, why not release some built up tension and stress??
Titled, The Fall, this mix of Power and Death metal from Polish metallers, Psychophobia, is one attractive creation that not many bands push boundaries with. The addition of modern day elements such as melodic components, classical themes and strong rhythm sections not only make this an enjoyable album but an alluring and interesting one too. As this is the group’s first release without a symphonic influence or keyboards at that, the creation of the album must have been quite the feat. Having well over a decade in the industry, the band is a must to check out for fans of In Flames, Dark tranquillity and Soilwork, really heavily influenced by the Gothenburg metal scene in addition to other bands such as Omnium Gatherum, Insomnium and even Black Sabbath. A modern day trip to the roots of melodic death metal, The Fall, offers the highlights of the genre such as bold solos, key melodic sounds and raw, rough vocality. The faint presence of core elements really deem the album a worthy one to dive into, head first.
What makes this album so unique is the hard hitting moments in addition to the smooth affairs of the point of parts of the album getting catchy to an extent. The strong opening, Servents of Deception, offers a bold rhythm section. The melodic components add that Gothenburg stimulation meanwhile the harsh drum play and growls combine to form a sweet and solid melodic death ensemble. The title track, The Fall had me thinking of old-school, very early In Flames. Think of Whoracle and The Jester Race, very riffy and just raw and raspy death metal screams. Not only that but the guitar aspect captures their influences without a doubt like Dark Tranquility and eventually paves way for some moments to headbang and a pretty cool semi-breakdown later in the track as the solo ends the track with a fade out. The Code, starts out on a doomy tone some could say. Overall, this very groovy track stays on the traditional metal route with guitar axework showcasing its talents in the latter half of the track. Nothing over the top or out of the ordinary, a solid end to this one.
This is not some sugar coated enticement that fails to deliver. For being from Poland, these guys very much have captivated that niche metal sound that is prevalent of course in Sweden and Finland. There is a little bit of everything on this EP: speed, aggression, down-tuned slow guitarwork, raspy and raw vocals, wild and captivating solos, pretty much everything standard in melodic death metal and a little more on the side. A well-rounded EP, let’s see what the group has to offer on the full-length release. Personally, I would have loved to have heard a pure speed demon sort of track, with the ability to headbang from start to end for the most part; it’s what gets me personally intrigued and focused on a song but that is all personal taste. Overall though The Fall will in fact help get out that metal anger and demon from within. Though the EP does not offer something shocking or extremely out of the ordinary, you can’t go wrong with some solid melodeath. Stay Metal \m/
8/10
Fernando (welovemetal.com)