Adramelech
Psychostasia
[Repulse]


Adramelech is an excellent Finnish death metal band that's been around since 1991, but because of turmoil within the band has only released two full length albums to date. For an historic as well as stylistic reference point, Adramelech was formed by members of Demigod. This is their first album and was released in '96.

Like Demigod the music is bizarre and not easily categorized. It's pleasingly brutal and punchy, but never extremely so. Instead of bowling you over like most death metal tries to, it subtly worms its way into your head. It does bear some similarities with "American" style death - it's thick and rhythmic. Still, it's less dense and more focused on flowing musical movement. Also there's a drop of Swedish influence (more Dismember than Entombed) evidenced in the racing melodic guitar offset by midpace sections to add emphasis to song ideas.

As said the album has a subtle, subconscious quality to it. Without a musical education, the best way I can say it is that many of the riffs sound "upside down". That's not very descriptive, but it's something one has to hear to understand. It's dark, but not really "evil"; the effect is more empty and subterranean. This is enhanced by the strange lyrics, which are simply emotionless, unrelated accounts of various occult and mythological lore from around the world.

This brings me to one more pointless comparison: Varathron. This has a similar brooding, "occult" feel. Still, namedropping can't convey what this music is all about; it really is unique. 'Psychostasia' isn't located at any one extreme of death metal tradition. However, instead of making the album seem halfhearted or an attempt to be all things to all people, this allows Adramelech to explore their own vision, something they do more effectively than all but a handful of death metal bands.


© 2001 j.s.