PsyOpus Ideas of Reference
  full reviewuser ratings (85) 
Tracklist:
- Mork & Mindy (Day Dream Lover)
- The White Light
- Death, I...
- The Long Road To The Fourth Dimension
- Mannequin
- Mirrorim
- Imogen\'s Puzzle
- Anomaly
- Bones To Dust

Ranking: #147 for 2004

user rating
3.3
great
Chart.
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  On 2 Lists

4.0
excellent
SubtleDagger USER (35 Reviews)

2005-01-14 | 58 comments | 4,534 views

4 of 4 thought this review was well written

PsyOpus:
Adam Frapolli - Vocals
Christopher Arp - Guitar
Greg Herman - Drums
Fred DeCoste - Bass

Bio (from [url]http://psyopus.com[/url]):
Stemming from the diabolic metal scene of Rochester, NY - the birthplace of such exaggerated sounds as Kalibas, Sulaco and Lethargy - comes the mathcore extremists known as PsyOpus. This project's conception was formed during the fall of 2002 by the unorthodox guitar work of Christopher "Arpmandude" Arp, Rochester's regional winner of 2001's Limp Bizkit Guitarist Search, and the technical absurdness of grind drummer Greg Herman. Finalizing the line up with bass player virtuoso Fred DeCoste and the "in your face" antics of vocalist Adam Frapolli, PsyOpus have become an intrinsic formula for sonically unyielding violence and insanity. Composed of bi-polar dynamics, radical arrangements, avant-garde instrumentation and a melting force of pure speed, PsyOpus set out to destroy the molds of extreme metal with unprecedented attitude and conviction. Judge for yourself by means of their debut release "Ideas of Reference" out on Black Market Activities.

Overview:
When I first heard PsyOpus, I was intrigued to say the least. To call this music "odd" would be an understatement. Finalizing a genre to put them in is difficult enough, but trying to focus on a specific element of their music can be even more trying. On the one hand, the band is prone to offbeat rhythmical changes, spastic blastbeats and technical madness that lovers of grindcore/mathcore will adore. On the other hand, the guitar work is all over the spectrum. One second you'll be getting dissonant riffs and tapping exercises, the next you'll be getting a cool yet oddly-placed jazz section. The basswork is about as unwieldy as the guitarwork, and the drumming ranges from all-out grind to straight rock beats.

Though some sections sound like Dillinger Escape Plan or Converge, and still others can be routed to Between The Buried And Me or perhaps even Slint, this band has a definitive style. On tracks like "Imogen's Puzzle" and "Death, I", the almost classical-sounding guitar lines are immediately noticeable. Jazzy, staccato note sequences almost evoke video game or MIDI comparisons, but it is most definitely a simple clean guitar, which really speaks for the raw style portrayed by Arp. If the Limp Bizkit stuff in his bio is true, I have no idea what the hell this guy was doing wasting his time on such a useless project; perhaps he was merely playing around with his diversity.

In other instances, it becomes all too apparent on other tracks that PsyOpus can be awesomely heavy. "Mirrorim" and "Mannequin" have blistering riffs and excellent, climactic breakdowns, while in the meantime, "The Long Road To The Fourth Dimension", "Mork And Mindy (Daydream Lover)", and "Anomaly" assault you at every twist and turn. Every instrumentalist shows consistent and devestating speed throughout. Frapolli may be limited at times to an almost Locust-esque hardcore yapping, but it is definitely fitting. "The White Light" has an especially Locust feel to it, but that quickly dissolves, and is well-portrayed if nothing else.

While PsyOpus resemble many bands, they're still almost impossible to pin down at times, so it's best to sample in order to find out if it is enjoyable. The fact that many bands are breaking this musical area wide open and PsyOpus can still maintain their niche speaks wonders for them, as bands that come into this field often fail to provide something new or original. Some will enjoy this music wholeheartedly, many will probably be put off. Your best bet is to give them a listen, or better yet, many listens, before you decide.

Recommended Tracks: "Death, I", "The Long Road To The Fourth Dimension", "Mannequin", "Mirrorim"

Rating: 4.5/5

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Happymeal


Comments: 330
09.25.04


Wow, great review! I've been so looking forward to this one, and I thought it was released already..

Distorted Vision


Comments: 184
09.25.04


The only track I've heard is 'Death, I', and the intro to that song is really captivating. I've never heard something used like that in extreme metal, and your review was good so I shall check out some more of this band.

Happymeal


Comments: 330
09.25.04


www.purevolume.com/psyopus if that helps.

SubtleDagger


Comments: 737
09.25.04


I checked some other sites, and apparently it has been released. For some reason, Amazon says it is set for October 19th and won't give any info. Odd.

SubtleDagger


Comments: 737
09.25.04


This doesn't have a lot of metal influence, it's mostly hardcore and grind. Between The Buried And Me and The Red Chord have more of a metal influence.

If you want jazz metal, listen to Atheist and Cynic first, they're the pioneers.

NewKindofArmy03


Comments: 26
09.25.04


these guys are amazing musicians. i saw them over the summer, and everything was perfect. i don't really like the music itself much though, it's ok.

BuddyBigsby


Comments: 531
09.25.04


I got my buddy into these guys, and now he's obsessed.

Their guitarist is insane.

pixiesfanyo
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 1194
09.25.04


God some people just don't know when to quit saying the same thing over and over and they look retarded for it.


I don't think Burt is the one looking retarded.

Digging: Do Make Say Think - Other Truths

cbmartinez


Comments: 2057
09.25.04


Dead's back. :rolleyes:

SubtleDagger


Comments: 737
09.25.04


If dead were paying attention, he would have noted that "mathcore" was used in the bio from the band's own site. It is not my label, it is theirs. He also might have noticed if he listened to the band that the metal aspect is not great; I wouldn't even put metal into their genre, grindcore is the only real heavy aspect.

By the way, keep it up and me and Bigsby may get you banned again.

IsItLuck?
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 4150
09.25.04

Album Rating: 3.5

Those PV songs rocked. Impressed me a bit.

Digging: A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head

BuddyBigsby


Comments: 531
09.26.04


[QUOTE=xdeadtomorrowx]Please stop using the term Mathcore forever. Thank you, there isn't ANYTHING known as mathcore. All this tech/jazz/grind/death stuff is all called TECH METAL. NOT MATHCORE WHAT ARE WE IN SCHOOL? Idiot. God some people just don't know when to quit saying the same thing over and over and they look retarded for it.

Although, Psyopus, NOT LIKE PsyOpus. Cause I don't know they are, Psyopus is amazing.[/QUOTE]

You know what's a really pathetic band name? Impaled Existence.

Bartender
Emeritus


Comments: 826
10.01.04


I've heard one song from this, The Long Road to the Fourth Dimension, and it was good enough that I'd buy this if I found it somewhere. I probably won't be putting great effort into getting it any time soon, though.

SubtleDagger


Comments: 737
10.01.04


It's good. "Death, I" is cooler, though. That's all on purevolume.

cbmartinez


Comments: 2057
10.01.04


I just listened to "Death, I..." and holy crap. The intrusments are amazing. The guitar and drums are some of the best I've heard in a while. I'm gonna' listen to more stuff...:eek:

SubtleDagger


Comments: 737
10.01.04


Yeah, it's real good. Too bad "Mannequin" and "Mirrorim" aren't on purevolume, they have crazy awesome parts.

"The White Light" has that killer Locust-y intro riff, though.

LesPaul3


Comments: 1
10.04.04


the cd has been out for awhile, the oct 19th date is a re-release.

Dark Hero


Comments: 160
10.04.04


Wow, I actually like this.

Maglor


Comments: 4
10.21.04


[QUOTE=SubtleDagger]

PsyOpus:
Adam Frapolli - Vocals
Christopher Arp - Guitar
Greg Herman - Drums
Fred DeCoste - Bass

Bio (from http://psyopus.com):
Stemming from the diabolic metal scene of Rochester, NY - the birthplace of such exaggerated sounds as Kalibas, Sulaco and Lethargy - comes the mathcore extremists known as PsyOpus. This project's conception was formed during the fall of 2002 by the unorthodox guitar work of Christopher "Arpmandude" Arp, Rochester's regional winner of 2001's Limp Bizkit Guitarist Search, and the technical absurdness of grind drummer Greg Herman. Finalizing the line up with bass player virtuoso Fred DeCoste and the "in your face" antics of vocalist Adam Frapolli, PsyOpus have become an intrinsic formula for sonically unyielding violence and insanity. Composed of bi-polar dynamics, radical arrangements, avant-garde instrumentation and a melting force of pure speed, PsyOpus set out to destroy the molds of extreme metal with unprecedented attitude and conviction. Judge for yourself by means of their debut release "Ideas of Reference" out on Black Market Activities.

Overview:
When I first heard PsyOpus, I was intrigued to say the least. To call this music "odd" would be an understatement. Finalizing a genre to put them in is difficult enough, but trying to focus on a specific element of their music can be even more trying. On the one hand, the band is prone to offbeat rhythmical changes, spastic blastbeats and technical madness that lovers of grindcore/mathcore will adore. On the other hand, the guitar work is all over the spectrum. One second you'll be getting dissonant riffs and tapping exercises, the next you'll be getting a cool yet oddly-placed jazz section. The basswork is about as unwieldy as the guitarwork, and the drumming ranges from all-out grind to straight rock beats.

Though some sections sound like Dillinger Escape Plan or Converge, and still others can be routed to Between The Buried And Me or perhaps even Slint, this band has a definitive style. On tracks like "Imogen's Puzzle" and "Death, I", the almost classical-sounding guitar lines are immediately noticeable. Jazzy, staccato note sequences almost evoke video game or MIDI comparisons, but it is most definitely a simple clean guitar, which really speaks for the raw style portrayed by Arp. If the Limp Bizkit stuff in his bio is true, I have no idea what the hell this guy was doing wasting his time on such a useless project; perhaps he was merely playing around with his diversity.

In other instances, it becomes all too apparent on other tracks that PsyOpus can be awesomely heavy. "Mirrorim" and "Mannequin" have blistering riffs and excellent, climactic breakdowns, while in the meantime, "The Long Road To The Fourth Dimension", "Mork And Mindy (Daydream Lover)", and "Anomaly" assault you at every twist and turn. Every instrumentalist shows consistent and devestating speed throughout. Frapolli may be limited at times to an almost Locust-esque hardcore yapping, but it is definitely fitting. "The White Light" has an especially Locust feel to it, but that quickly dissolves, and is well-portrayed if nothing else.

While PsyOpus resemble many bands, they're still almost impossible to pin down at times, so it's best to sample in order to find out if it is enjoyable. The fact that many bands are breaking this musical area wide open and PsyOpus can still maintain their niche speaks wonders for them, as bands that come into this field often fail to provide something new or original. Some will enjoy this music wholeheartedly, many will probably be put off. Your best bet is to give them a listen, or better yet, many listens, before you decide.

Recommended Tracks: "Death, I", "The Long Road To The Fourth Dimension", "Mannequin", "Mirrorim"

Rating: 4.5/5[/QUOTE]
I Just went and heard these guys, and its magificent! Just died and gone to hell.

DekWannaBFlea


Comments: 284
10.21.04


[QUOTE=xdeadtomorrowx]Please stop using the term Mathcore forever. Thank you, there isn't ANYTHING known as mathcore. All this tech/jazz/grind/death stuff is all called TECH METAL. NOT MATHCORE WHAT ARE WE IN SCHOOL? Idiot. God some people just don't know when to quit saying the same thing over and over and they look retarded for it.

Although, Psyopus, NOT LIKE PsyOpus. Cause I don't know they are, Psyopus is amazing.[/QUOTE]


Lol mathcore...........When i saw that in the title i was like, wtf is that?



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