Like many young people, I was once enamored with Technical and/or Brutal Death Metal. While a fairly diverse genre I was focused on bands like Wormed, Gorguts, Necrophagist, Obscura, and especially important here, Spawn of Possesion (SOP). The Faster and nastier the better and these bands managed to achieve that in spades as well as merge a large amount of technicality in with the heaviness.
One of the more memorable bands SOP’s 2006 album Noctambulant became an instant favorite when I first heard it at 17. Quite simply a pillar of the genre this album is damn near perfect and is one that every other similar bands gets unconsciously compared to. Crunchy, twisted, and relentless, this album somehow remains remarkably interesting after many repeat listens over many years.
Fast forward to 2025 and SOP is essentially reformed but with KC Howard (Odium Mortem and Decrepit Birth) on drums. Branded with a name intended for a SOP song, RETROMORPHOSIS have uncovered a lost love for the Technical and Brutal variations of death metal.
Unleashed late February Psalmus Mortis is a statement of a debut album while also being familiar and comforting. Beginning with a short instrumental intro before 5 straightforward tech death songs all approximately 5 minutes in length. The album then turns to a 9 minute epic before finishing with another standard length song. Lyrics are the expected Sci-Fi and Horror topics and make for an interesting delve. The album doesn’t overstay it’s welcome and is over before you know it. The songs are varied and avoid the boredom that often comes with the genre. Psalmus Mortis is an album that is good for repeat listens doing repetitive tasks or exercise.
If you like Tech Death you will love this Psalmus Mortis, and if you don’t check it out anyway as it’s very fun. A video is below as well as some links!
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