If this were indie rock it would be Altaars or Alltars or ALTRS, but seeing as how we're dealing with metal here it's still Altars, thank you very much… even if Metal Archives lists another active band already using that appellation (this doesn't even count a metalcore band currently signed to Facedown Records under the same title). That other death metal Altars is from Dayton and most likely – I haven't heard the lads – don't hold a candle to these fuckers from Australia.
Strictly speaking, Paramnesia isn't blackened death, though there are elements of such in the cataleptic, freeform drumming of Alan Cadman as well as Cale Schmidt's hybrid growl/shriek vox. In spite of a plethora of stop-on-a-dime riff changes, though, Lewis Fischer keeps things grounded in a firm Morbid Angel/Nile mold.
Nonetheless, this is too compositionally experimental to slot right in with the trad death or tech death scenes (Gorguts maybe being the one analogous exception) so, spiritually, tracks like "Solar Barge" and especially the three part title suite have more in common with bands like Vreid or perhaps mid-period Enslaved.
The experimental nature of the songs thankfully never lapses into shapeless ambiance or pointless field recording overlays – a kvlt trend that is every bit wankery as anything Yngwie has ever put out, by the way – which makes this one of the more interesting underground death metal albums since the last Encoffination.
Paramnesia is available on Bandcamp in both digital and physical formats, as well as a hipster-priced $60 hoodie. Get one before the Pitchfork staff catch them all up!
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