If one wants to complain that
Psycroptic's work is excessively violent, excessively harsh or excessively brutal, he/she is certainly entitled to that opinion; extreme metal isn't everyone's cup of tea, and if it did become ultra-mainstream, a lot of extreme metal musicians would be very unhappy because they thrive on their cult appeal and their way-outside-the-mainstream status. But never let it be said that bands like
Psycroptic lack chops or can't play their instruments. Musicianship, in fact, is a crucial part of the equation on
Ob(Servant). These Aussies favor a complex blend of technical death metal and technical metalcore; technical is definitely the operative word where
Psycroptic are concerned, and the fact is that you need good chops to play music that is so unapologetically technical. God knows, there have been plenty of musicians who joined bands despite the fact that they couldn't play their instruments, but if you're going to go the technical route, chops are essential -- and
Psycroptic's chops are used in a totally vicious fashion on
Ob(Servant). This 2008 release doesn't offer a lot of nuance;
Psycroptic usually go for the jugular, and they take great pleasure in kicking, stomping, and pummeling the listener into submission. The material isn't remarkable, but it is noteworthy -- at least if one has a taste for really extreme metal. Albums this extreme are certainly an acquired taste -- and those who have acquired a taste for this type of head-smashing brutality will acknowledge that
Ob(Servant), although not stunning, certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of musicianship or technical prowess. ~ Alex Henderson