The last time I checked in with Indiana’s Psychomancer was 2015s Inject the Worms EP, And I wasn’t that impressed with the band’s generic and forgetful if competent American death metal.

But it appears  as if some HM2 boss pedals have found their way to Michigan City, Indiana as the quartet has developed what was a pretty mediocre take on death metal into an improved, Swedish inspired delivery that is pretty good and certainly better than I recall the EP being.

Of course the guitar tone helps, as I generally love the Swedish buzz saw tone. And while no one will confuse these mid westerners for Entrails or even fellow Americans Sentient Horror, but one listen to tracks like the groovy canter of “Hell’s Venom”,  standout slow burner “Red Poetry” or moody, varied 7+ minute number “Faded Scars Return to Bleed” and ambitious, almost 10 minute track, will show how much these guys have moved on from their more Skinless/ Cannibal Corpse influenced sound of before.

Other tracks like “As Your Vital Signs Decline” urgent “The Castigator” and classic Swedish stomp of “Myrmidons” and MK Ultra” are entertaining as well and show a band willing to develop and change their sound even if its from one well know style to another. A band that I was pretty nonplussed about before is certainly on my radar now.

[Visit the band's website]

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