27th July 2024

Review: “Shapeshifter” by Spacecorpse

2023 was a fantastic year for Denver Colorado Dystopian Technical Death Metal act Spacecorpse. The trio managed to secure an opening slot on “The Labyrinth Tour” alongside Arkaik, First Fragment, A Wake In Providence, Greylotus and Chamber Mage with which they were able to reaffirm their credentials as ones to watch, having impressed with 2022 EP “Replicate to Dominate“. On that run fans got to witness first hand their innovative blend of blistering riffs, spacey synth textures and gravity-crushing breakdowns and enhancing their reputation for tight, precise and intense performances. Taking it all in their stride, the science fiction horror junkies the unveiled a signature beer called Cosmic Wormocalypse with Something Brewery, something usually reserved for bands at the top of the pyramid like Metallica, Iron Maiden and Bleed From Within. As if that wasn’t enough, vocalist Reece Deeter, drummer Andrew Morris and multi instrumentalist Ricky Shine also unveiled single “Psychesynthesis” as a teaser for their forthcoming record “Shapeshifter“…

…if there is a question about the bands intention then lets make it clear from the very start of this review that while Spacecorps have given their songs texture and depth with spacey synth soundscapes that draw you in like the gravitational pull of a black hole, this is a Death Metal album first and foremost. The band don’t flinch for even a second and never compromise on the brutality or intensity. If anything opening instrumental cut “Celestial Gateway” feels like it has some Progressive Metal leanings as it sets the tone with catchy riffs played over warm synths that bleed into “Infiniphenism“. An eerie 30 seconds of spoken word over haunting guitars is shattered by restless and relentless blasting from Morris on the kit accompanied by caustic battery acid vocals from Deeter, who tells familiar tales of science fiction horror themes as the riffs swirl around him like a plague wind. It’s hard to believe that the band are a three piece because Shine plays guitars and bass while handling synths and sonically that makes them feel like a six piece.

The guitar work on “Gravitational Dismemberment” is the absolute Chef’s kiss and the way the synths have been incorporated ensures that they are an embellishment to chemically enhance rather than anything else. At points the riffs and rhythmic dynamic bridge the gap between Death Metal and Deathcore while remaining technical throughout, hitting with wave after wave of momentary pauses, squeals and both minor and major tempo shifts. Deeter snarls as he scavenges, his harsh tones incorporating shriller moments as and when needed to inflict maximum punishment. Some of the synth parts are reminiscent of Born Of Osiris, something which is the case with album title track “Shapeshifter” which has punchy staccato riff infestations underpinned by quirky nuanced sounds. It also has a huge breakdown before galloping away down the beach like Black Beauty with a textured melodic bridge over which other bands might be tempted to add clean vocals. You may think that Spacecorpse would dodge that bullet like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix by allowing some more Progressive leaning instrumental parts to play out but they do risk it for a biscuit with a couple of clean lines. It also feels like they cut the track short when it could have happily gone on for another verse and chorus without anyone being any the wiser.

Pushing the extremes in the opposite direction “Psychesynthesis” has moments of Slam inspired next level Death Metal vocals in amongst the tsunami waves of brutal riffs. Programming enhances that science fiction horror aesthetic really nicely while the blasting form Morris puts a hole in the hull of the spaceship through which the riffs pour. What works incredibly well on this one is the distorted clean vocal parts that are wrapped in those space age synths, giving it a real dark and sinister urge. A Death Metal album that doesn’t so much bludgeon as pull at your sweater threads as it brims with technicality and nuance. One moment “Portals” is richly textured synths that shine in the darkness, the next its a whirlwind of comic horror with a surprise Black Metal inspired passage. That’s just how Spacecorpse do things, never afraid to cross a border or boundary to create something that sounds phenomenal. The challenge with “To Whom the Bell Tolls” is how to make the Metallica classic which everyone knows their own without destroying it completely. Spacecorpse choose the Death Metal route while remaining largely faithful to the original with throat splitting unclean vocals and slick riffs enhanced here or there. It’s nice enough but not strictly necessary as it doesn’t add all that much as their original works are so much grander in scale… [8/10]

Track Listing