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OUTER HEAVEN
Infinite Psychic Depths

Relapse (2023)
Rating: 8/10

While there is no doubting the mind-expanding talents of this Douglassville, Pennsylvania-based death metal posse, I have failed miserably in taking to their perplexing prose which has screwed with my brain since their debut full-length outing, Realms Of Eternal Decay, way back in 2018. Even so, Outer Heaven remains technically gifted as they weave juicy, groove-laced riffs through their already cosmic mire.

With the constant shift patterns, trem picks and percussive reverbs, this new outing is a haven for more expansive technicality and otherworldly jargon. ‘Rotting Stone / D.M.T.’ is instantly accessible with its gouging riffage, while closer ‘From Nothingness To Eternity’ is far less accommodating with its six-string clashes. But that’s what I do like about these celestial hooligans; the way they create vast illusions that are both riveting yet alien.

The nods towards an early-90s death metal complexity are visible, but Outer Heaven is also able to revel in a more contemporary groove-based bludgeoning. ‘Starcrusher’ gallops with a fury and ‘Warped Transcendence’ is equally vigorous, riff-jammed and complex. Guitarists Jon Kunz and Zak Carter dish out massive dollops of meaty wizardry, and this is particularly evident on the excellent ‘Unspeakable Aura’ which is fuelled by the enigmatic yet brutal drums.

One point that must be made here though is the fact that through all the apparent chaos the music seems focused and tight rather just being wild for the sake of it. Why I’m not the biggest fan of the band I couldn’t tell you, but this new platter serves the band well, and after at least eight listens I’m finding myself more accustomed to their tones of dread.

Neil Arnold

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