Devaint Process is a four-peice progressive death metal band out of Quebec City. The band was previously known as Psychic Pain, but later changed their name and released an EP titled Narcissistic Rage in 2011. They have had the brutal pleasure of sharing the stage with acts such as Cryptopsy, Vital Remains and Revocation. It's been 5 years since the last release, but these guys may just be getting started. Paroxysm is a mind-melting wonder to behold.
It shouldn't take more than the first groovy basslines and epic opening build of "Unconscious" to convice you of the same. These 8 tracks are all carefully constructed, mentally contorting acts of ordered chaos. The progressive element is strong hearkening at various times to a number of different groups: Opeth, Gigan, Plague Rider (who just last year also released an album of the same name), Odetosun, and Warforged.
All of those technical chops and compositional skills are fed through a meat grinder of brutality reminiscent of the aforementioned Cryptopsy as well as Morbid Angel. At times I even hear a glimmer of Randy Blythe's more intense moments from Burn the Priest and early Lamb of God. The riffs are seemingly endless, constantly shifting styles from jazzy noodling, to blackened tremolo, to chugging and squeeling brutal death. Simply zeroing in on the drums as a listener is an act of exhaustion. Man has the stamina of a cheetah.
I am also always appreciative of a chance to give the bass player his due. In addition to opening the album solo, there are a number of moments that his clunky tone jumps forward in the mix with killer runs that can only be described as "funky." Add to this a few interesting acoustic moments and you have yourself a pretty wild ride. I'm particularly fond of the first four tracks, with "Persecution" being another strong started point. This track has a really great hook that will keep you grounded in what is otherwise anarchy.
Paroxysm drops today via PRC Music and can be ordered HERE. Don't miss out on the madness.