Tech-metal reached perfection with The Dillinger Escape Plan's Calculating Infinity. That is my opinion, and you may argue that it is wrong or that my definition of tech metal is incorrect. But I don't care; I will argue right back that you're the one that is, in fact, wrong. I do not see any album in the realm of technical metal/hardcore ever toping that album. And while that is unfortunate for each and every band that is releasing music in that spectrum of metal, it makes for an easy comparison on my end. So just how does Psyopus' sophomore full-length effort, Our Puzzling Encounters Considered, rate?
First off, the individuals that make up Psyopus are obviously talented individuals at their respective instruments - it doesn't take long into the album to realize that. The listener is immediately greeted with mind-boggling guitars of Christopher "Arpmandude" Arp. Imagine the dynamics of Dream Theatre, but on crack, or so I would imagine. This is melded with an equally as amazing display of technical prowess from drummer John Cole - he pounds his kit with pummeling double-bass, furious blast beats, and other zany drum work that I never knew existed prior to this album. The bass playing of Fred DeCoste is decent; I'm pleased to have it distinguished in the songs - unlike most bands. Vocally, Adam Frappoli makes use of a fierce bark that fits the music as best it can. I really tended to zone in on the guitars and drums and forgot about the vocals most of the time.
Distinguishing the songs of Our Puzzling Encounters Considered is both simple and complex. It is simple in the sense that there are two types of songs, the tech-metal and those that are not. The first group all fit the same style, so if you've heard one, you've heard them all. It is those songs that step outside the boundaries of technical metal that make Psyopus unique. "Imogenis Puzzle Pt. 2" is quite reminiscent of the theme music from the Castlevania video game series at times - I kid you not - but twisted through a variety of pace changes and further structure altering by the members of Psyopus. "Siobhanis Song" also ventures beyond the world of tech-metal and into a more jazz-influenced sound - very tepid guitars, fluid drumming, oft-placed bass plucks, and no vocals. Outside of that, the band is pretty straightforward in their approach to their songs. The downside to this fact is that the majority of the songs sound so similar. There really is very little variety on this album, which is my biggest issue with tech-metal.
There is a hidden track, and again it is kind of a waste (just like their last release). The first twenty minutes of the hidden track are, well, yep, annoying. If you hear it, you'll know what I mean. The hidden song is equally as lame and annoying - I guess I just don't see the point of a joke song being stashed away here.
I can't say that Our Puzzling Encounters Considered rates anywhere near that of The Dillinger Escape Plan's masterpiece. This is a decent release with some highlight moments; I just feel a good portion of it to be musical masturbation. But since their last release, tech-metal and grindcore have really increased in popularity. Acts like Through the Eyes of the Dead, Ed Gein, and Job for a Cowboy have become "household" names in the world of metal. I don't know what that means for the world of music, but I do believe that places Psyopus among them as the leaders of the New New New Wave of American Heavy Metalââ¬Â¦ at least until something else comes along.
