There’s so much to absorb with this, the second full length release by Outer Heaven, an American death metal band from Pennsylvania. Infinite Psychic Depths takes us on a whirlwind journey across the death metal spectrum. They pay homage to the greats: Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Immolation – you name it. It’s all done respectfully, so you don’t think that they are clones of any of the aforementioned bands. Outer Heaven definitely have their own sound, but the nods of appreciation are there, and it’s great to hear that play out.
Then there’s the technical ability that is evident. The songs are so well constructed, the playing is on point, the riffs are solid and the solos are really fluid. At times, it’s like listening to thrash solos or James Murphy guest solos you might have fond memories of from yesteryear. There are guest appearances from former members of Vital Remains and Morbid Angel, as well as Pig Destroyer and Tomb Mold. Sometimes, guest spots can detract from the record, but these do fit right in.
The lyric sheet is mentally long (it likely deserves its own separate review), and the lyrical content continues in the vein from their first record, telling us the background of the story first presented on Realms of Eternal Decay, and this second record acts as a prolonged prologue to their first one. Furthermore, if you play the end of the final track, it does link in the opening track of the first record. The links to the first album don’t stop there either: the artwork on Infinite Psychic Depths directly connects with the first album, and this looks awesome with the gatefold vinyl versions.
There’s so much to like about this record, from blastbeat sections, to chuggy mid-paced riffing (‘From Nothingness to Eternity’), frantic thrashing (‘Fragmented Suspension’), frenetic time changes, the clean soloing, and an unexpected but welcome female vocal at the end of ‘Unspeakable Aura’ which takes this record to another level. Admittedly, there aren’t any sing-a-long chorus parts, but you really don’t need them as there’s so much other stuff to take in.
I could probably take all year to really digest it, and come up with a better review, but if you like your death metal honest and brutal, these guys are nailing it on this second full-length release.
