PHOBOCOSM – DEPRIVED LP (Dark Descent Records)

Eerie and ominous instrumental opener ‘Sleep Deprivation’ sets the tone for yet another dark and disturbing helping of suffocating, asymmetrical Death Metal conceived in Canada. Without bringing anything particularly unique or original to the table, Phobocosm manage to impress and are one of those bands that just click, in that they are somehow much more than the sum of their individual parts.

‘Deprived’ all comes together into a refreshing and harrowing cocktail of dark death that makes me think of Gorguts meets Pestilence at a Deathspell Omega (!) gig, for obvious want of a better explanation… (sleep deprivation, indeed)

The record is presented in a fantastic gatefold jacket, with lyrics included. A good ‘un, all in all.

Evilometer: 555/666