RETROMORPHOSIS – “Psalmus Mortis” (Season of Mist)

By capitalchaostv on February 20, 2025 • ( 0 )

RETROMORPHOSIS’ debut album Psalmus Mortis Brings The Utmost Evil Sound to The Death Metal Genre

Spawn of Possession’s last lineup but with the incredible KC Howard (Odious Mortem, Ex- Decrepit Birth) on drums is the new death metal band Retromorphosis. The project started in the writing process around 2014 originally intended for Spawn of Possession material at the time. But picked back up under a different band name and thought process of Retromorphosis around 2019.

The sound is different than Spawn of Possession but not too far off. The closest related for that material would be from the Cabinet era. But the new project has more layers in general including synths and digital orchestra. When you hear the word orchestra in extreme metal you may think of bands like Dimmu Borgir or Fleshgod Apocalypse but with Retromorphosis it is not over the top and is more of an underlying part of some songs and not as up front.

When first hearing the description of the band before any demo material was released, Jonas the band’s main song writer was describing it as old school death metal. One might hear that category and automatically think chainsaw guitar tones, straight forward chugging or tremolo styled riffs. But no not with Retromorphosis at all!

The tech death style is still there within the riffs, it is just more sprinkled in here and there. What Jonas was conveying was the overall vibe and theme of the band is old school death metal. Melodies are more accessible to the ear first listen and it creates a very sinister vibe throughout the whole album.

The first track “Obscure Exordium” around the 35 second mark goes into the intricacy of guitar riffing in the lower range and instantly sets the tone for how sick the album remains all the way to the end. It is a great opener to the album and transitions perfectly to their first single “Vanished”.

Every song on the album has its own character and there are no filler tracks or even riffs. The heavy and dark number “Never To Awake” has killer bass sliding work around a chorus part from the talented Erlend Caspersen. Christian Muenzner’s solo also stands out with a unique sound that he usually does not evoke from his other bands. Killer wah-wah pedal energy with great sustain. And when the last note strikes with the whammy bar you can’t hold back showing a metal face grin when it hits you.

Other tracks like “Machine” is a 9 minute opus with song writing so good that you don’t even realize it is a long track. It takes you through a death metal journey with some of the most catchy melodies of the album. Around the 3:06 minute mark starts a heavy chugging riff and when the drums come in the groove flows perfectly and the memorable melody on top sets the tone.

Singer Dennis Rondum has great performances all throughout the album and has killer ranges as well. Songs like “The Tree” give a commanding cadence from his voice that makes the eagerness to see it live one day grow ever more.

KC Howard’s diverse playing and unforgettable ride cymabl work is all over the map on this album. Notable track’s from his style would have to be the jazzy-ness on “Aunt Christie’s Will” and the hand blistering blasting on “Exalted Splendour”.

Psalamus Mortis gets a 10 out of 10. Start to finish this album does not disappoint. Death metal that is dark, catchy, and technical but still easy to take in. The hopes are very high for more releases from them and for one day to see this live would be a dream.