The opening track ‘Soul Remnants’ opts for a brutal trait that now has become the signature sound of the band in combining the extreme elements of hardcore and old-school death metal along with a highly focused pace of the drums that is extremely energetic. Despite their full intensity the songs on the album are littered with grunts and frenzied barks. A track like ‘Pillars of Dust’ succeeds to bring a new formula with the abrasive style of hardcore breakdowns pushing towards a more groove style-infested sections and uncovering some of the band’s sonic roots with vocalist J.R. Hayes (Pig Destroyer) making his guest appearance.

The slow build-up momentum of the ‘Fragmented Suspension’ unleashes gore-filled death metal riffs and the gnarly effect of the bass guitar venturing on a straight groove is immediately noticeable. Immense guitar barrages are on constant display while binding the tempos together, yet Outer Heaven manages to incorporate some incendiary riffs where the lead guitars and the stomping drum attacks swerve into a face-ripping brutality. Double bass kick-drumming and rumbling bass guitar showcase furious savagery with chainsaw riffs that bring the viciousness and the monstrous growls of Austin Haines, imbuing a real sense of awe.

The driving force of these banger tracks is exquisitely crafted by guitarists Jon Kunz and Zak Carter who build a cohesive energy into a song like ‘Drained of Life’. The keys to the album are the lead guitars, dripping with melodies. The grinding drums in the opening moments of ‘Liquefied Mind’ are utterly filthy and brutal, and the hideous growls maintain the paranormal atmosphere.

Outer Heaven offers a lot of quality. Tn fact, the entirety of the sophomore is deeply rooted in the cosmic spectrum of cavernous death metal. Guitarist and bassist Derrick Vella (Tomb Mold) conjures up an otherworldly atmosphere that infests uncanny auras by weaving some catchy lead guitar sections. The sense of dread then pervades in the following track ‘Unspeakable Aura’ which unleashes jaw-dropping aggression and pummeling drums. The catchiest moments maintain a steady tempo, there is also a guest appearance by Tabitha Rudy at the very end of the song.

The five pieces have really nailed their sound: the guitar provides hooks with filthy riffs, oozing to the pummeling drums and adding more depth to the ugly growls. Outer Heaven managed to bolster its aggressive qualities, even though the hardcore influences bring plenty of head-banging sections. Each member contributes to the songs with a unique cohesion as the drums provide the backbone for the colossal buzz-saw riffing. Just like the previous full-length album Outer Heaven carries on in the same putrid direction. Although there are some rhythmic variations in the songs, you can still hear the d-beat drumming ranging from blast beats to double bass, which is handled by Paul Chrismer.

The lurching heaviness in the track ‘Rotting Stone / D.M.T.’ infuses adrenaline riff stomps. Outer Heaven ultimately bridges groove and brutal drumming. The track also features guitarist Dave Suzuki (ex-Vital Remains). On the production level the sophomore ‘Infinite Psychic Depths’ truly shows the structured composition, offering a rawer sound that makes the songs sound morbid. ‘Starcrusher’ begins with monstrous chugging riffs that almost feel like the band is reminiscing the classic style of Morbid Angel, although this comes as no surprise because the track features the guest appearance of bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker who provides some demonic growls.

The drumming is absolutely incredible and adds more brutality to the tempo, yet there are plenty of mid-pacing sections that unfold with heavy chugging riffs on ‘Pallasite Chambers’. The best moments come courtesy of the guest vocalist Alexander Jones (Undeath), which immediately catches the attention via the savage drumming pace, dual growls and brutal delivery of the tremolo-picked riffs exploding into heavy guitar chugs and seamlessly injecting double bass drums.

The inhumane flesh-ripping sound of the drums is filled with aggression ‘Warped Transcendence’ is one of the songs that covers the unhinged sound of Outer Heaven in covering filthy arrays of death metal and hardcore. The lead guitar section in the final track ‘From Nothingness To Eternity’ is expertly handled by guitarist Brody Uttley (Rivers of Nihil) who adds the icing to the cake and provides a unique atmosphere. With the drums ranging from slow to mid-paced tempo, there are no blast beats to be found here, just filthy old-school death metal brought by their hardcore roots along with chunky riffing.

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