The band’s first full-length ensures constant mixing of primitive rhythms and cavernous death metal, the guitars put these quirky tendencies towards doom metal riffs. It all comes down with the multilayered low growling and the blasting drums in “Blinding the Seven Eyes of God” while the guitars boast ultra-heaviness. The sheer quality and originality show the talent of sounding raw and brutal as the classic European death metal, but a range of influences can also be heard in the grooves. Firing on all cylinders, the propelling double bass in the following track “Teleport Haze” balances technicality and brutality, the highlight of the album is the sound of the raw unfiltered riffs. The fast-paced sections reek of savage aggression especially when it comes to the guitar department Federico Guitérez and Felipe Tencio unravels the complex riddles of their morbid riffs. “Pulsations From the Black Orb” emphasizes classic aesthetics and musically there is a lot happening in each of the six tracks on the album.

The firm blasting of the drums in “Metasymbiosis” shows the fine concoction of the thick bass guitar and the result is dense riffing, the guitar, and the drums sound is probably one of the best I’ve heard in a while. Aside from delivering uncompromising brutality, Astriferous know how to fuse slow doom death metal and chord progression to set up a sulky atmosphere. The guttural growls are up-front with the guitars adding depth working in tandem with the solid drum beats.  Even in the instrumental track “Forlorn and Immemorial” the air of ambiance permeates as a sickening miasma and the gentle acoustic guitar plucking seamlessly melds into a somber melody that gradually gives way to the ambient air.

“Ominous and Malevolent” is full of rawness and old-school brutality. The drums and guitars are on the climax while the pulverizing guitar tone would fuse a dense mix of sharp tremolos contrast between the chasmic guitars, drums, and the cavernous growling. Such an experience is conjured by the whole cacophonous atmosphere. “Pulsations From the Black Orb” proves how underground labels like Me Saco un Ojo Records and Pulverised Records scout out young talented bands from all the corners of the world. The astounding talent of the Costa Rica quartet is a perfect testament to steeping in the classic aesthetics of old-school death metal. Although the band’s full-length album does not come close to the generic style of death metal, there seems to be a wide influence in reviving one’s memory of the ’90s era. As an example, the album’s cover artwork is very similar to Massacre’s classic album “From Beyond”.

Astriferous managed to bring a very interesting style to the fans of the genre especially to those who have been following the band since their inception there is a beyond aspect that solidifies the trademark of the band. There are countless heavy riffs and the tremolos are in abundance in “Lunomancy”, a full-force brutal death metal track. The relentless focus of the drummer José María Arrea comes in variety and provides tons of blast beats, slower parts, and double bass. The guitars are used to churn out a dense wall of sound with heavy reverb and intense tempos that add to the overall barbaric sound.

The final track “Symmetries That Should Not Be” is the longest track on the album and sees Astriferous channeling the style of Morbid Angel. Although this is the slowest song that starts at a slow pace, the guitar riffs sound like a sledgehammer and then the pace picks up with some heavy double bass transitioning into the same loop. Though it may be a bit formulaic there is a lot to sink your teeth into especially when the riffs reoccur the quality here makes it quite addictive.

Links