Psycho

Self-admittedly focused on "sex, death and Satan," Singapore's latest collection of dirt-encrusted extremists know exactly how to get all the cylinders firing on the metallic motor. Wallowing in the bleak influence of black metal gurus Bathory and the consummate, explosive attack of Amebix, there's an inescapable atmosphere of rudimentary, instinctual ferocity for most of Pain Addict Pigs. Augmenting the passionately primal attack with a rabid vocal delivery combining early Witchery with traditional Swedish death metal riffs and solid, thrash-inspired half-time chugs makes the album a wonderful melee of sub-genres punctuated with progressive, Maiden-esque interludes, solos and bridges. Combined, these aspects create quite the captivating dichotomy against Psycho's otherwise staunchly pummelling onslaught. It didn't seem possible that metal could get any crustier, but with this aural invasion, Psycho have brought it down to delightfully dingier depths.