Phlebotomized
SkyContact

THE REVIEW

And finally, with the fourth review came the new! After two duplicates and an almost new release, this time, to impress you, I'm pulling out an even more unknown album than the previous "Immense Intense Suspense." Yes, we're still talking about them, Phlebotomized, true misunderstood geniuses of the global metal scene! But it's pointless to seek similarities between this work and the previous masterpiece because there are very few. SkyContact is an album with a vaguely psychedelic flavor, where the death parts are reduced to the bone in favor of intriguing, original, and bewildering solutions.

Already the initial "StoleShowSoul," preceded by the instrumental ghost-track "Dizz-Tance" (stunning), projects us to levels of absolute excellence: the track starts aggressively, almost like any death metal song. But it constantly changes rhythm, moving from softer parts to harder ones, leaving the listener literally astonished. Even better is "Achin," especially when, following a part full of psychedelic effects, the acoustic guitar comes into play with a sweet arpeggio, and then the electric for a splendid solo, before the finale featuring heavy and obsessive riffing: an absolute masterpiece. The instrumental "Sometimes" continues in this vein and is certainly one of the most successful pieces of an immense album. "I Lost My Cookies In The Disco," which contains progressive, hardcore punk, and death metal elements, is the most extreme song on the album. The only thing I feel like saying about this track is: listen to it, damn it. "A Cry In July" opens a suite in four parts. Another excellent piece, accompanied by the best solo of the entire album. "Never Lose Your Hope" and "Imagine This" are absolutely fantastic. Aware that we don't all experience the same feelings when listening to a track and that beauty is not subjective (otherwise, how boring would that be), I feel that the emotions these two songs provoke in me are not felt very often when I listen to an album. The closing track "Out Of You," a completely acoustic song, might initially remind one of "Gone" (the final song of the previous album), only that no surprise ending arrives, leaving one a bit disappointed.

This is an album I recommend to all lovers of complicated sounds, but also to those who want to listen to something different and not very well-known (so unknown that it's not even on Debaser :D). Although I consider this album inferior to its predecessor, it is still a true masterpiece. This band deserved a wonderful career. But happiness doesn't always correspond with merit. Kant said it too, for heaven's sake.