When I first heard the Plasmarifle's EP "The Apocalypse Called in Sick... Can I Take a Message?", beyond the hilarity of its title, I was immediately drawn to the band's psychotic, schizophrenic riffing and unusual approach to death metal/grindcore. The EP kicked ass but left me wondering; how good can this be over a full length? I had asked myself this with Beneath the Massacre a few years ago and I still don't think they've matched their first EP. Not so with the Plasmarifle, as it sits very nicely after a(or many) full listens. At first one may think of the Plasmarifle as just another deathcore act with "Oh my god we're freaking you out! Aren't we insane?" parts that get tedious and boring once you've figured out the formula. The difference is that these guys have a much wider sonic palet. "While You Were Sleeping the World Changed Forever In an Instant" is a choc full of complex, and I would even venture as to say progressive riffing. Time signatures and tempos fly rather quickly and occasionally settle in a nice groove. The schizo act is there, but rather than rely on gimmicks or patterns, the band switches it up almost every time so as to keep things interesting. The Plasmarifle offer more than just chug-chug-sweep-sweep-tap-tap song structures. There is actual songwriting. Often the band take a musical idea and explore to its utmost, creating an ever evolving track. Mix in the many influences of death metal, black metal, hardcore as well as countless others and you get a sound which is very unique in today's metal. The musicianship here is top notch, with demented guitarist Oli Lasalle leading the charge with wide-ranging and extremely confusing riffs at times which seem to always fall into place. The drumming performance on here is also top notch, ranging from hyper blasts, very quick start/stops and a good dosage of groove to complete things. The bass is actually audible(death metal bands take note) and adds depth and life to the overall sound. Vocally this album is very diverse. Maynard Moore offers a death grunt, high pitched squeals as well as the occasional gang vocal thrown in for good measure. There are also guest appearances from Blackguard's Paul Ablaize, The Agonist's Alissa White-Gluz as well as Despised Icon's duo of Alex Erian and Steve Marois, all of which sound quite good on this release. Notable tracks are the opener "For All That Is Concealed Shall Soon Be Revealed" with its demented pace and amazing drumming. "To Those That May Be Concerned" is interesting as it adds a dose of lounge music before destroying with monster riffs. "From the Trail of Ashes..." is another barnburner and the closer "Haunted by the Ghost of a Dead Actress" simply gives you one last jolt before the plug is pulled. However these are merely standouts since there are no bad songs to be found here. I quite enjoy this band as I see them as a force in the modern metal scene. If you want to hear something unique, they are definitely worth cehcking out.(© Metal-Archives, by invaded)
- Genre: Technical Death/Grindcore/Mathcore
- Quality: mp3@CBR320 kbps (CD-Rip, Lame 3.93)
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- Total playing time: 00:30:23
