Album Review // 2020-07-16

Abnormality

Sociopathic Constructs

Released: 2019-05-10

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I heard one song by this band titled Cymatic Hallucinations. I was drawn to the brutal sound. It was actually a turnaround song for me. Prior to my love for that song, I was on the fence about women’s vocals that could be mistaken for men. This song did things just right and got me wanting more of this kind of pace!

Death metal is pretty new to me. I feel like there is much to discover!

I listened to some interviews with this band. It is fair to say they are not walking a gold paved path, but one led with passion and love for music! In a Bus Invaders video I saw the small area that is shared among band members while on tour.

It was sad to hear that founding member and vocalist Mallika, had to step down and have someone replace her as vocalist on their 2019 tour. I am not sure what the future holds for her. I do hope to see her back at it!

The name of the album, Sociopathic Constructs, seems to be referring to building up some distance between yourself and people, socially. I think maybe it is presenting this as a smart idea in the kind of world we live in where no one can be trust.

Album Art

It appears to have layered hexagons on top of each other. I don’t know much that is significant about hexagons. Upon investigation they are considered to be associated with connection and love and are looked at as one of the shapes that happens naturally in the world. The structure in the middle seems to be natural looking, almost like it is a tree growth or plant. It appears to have 3 eyes. I think it could symbolize a distrust for things even if they appear loving. Maybe like you need a third eye to know what is really going on.

Mood

This album has an intensity and power. It feels driven forward but not carelessly. 

Vocals

There seems to be 3 ways Mallika uses her voice on this album. I think that it takes a lot of talent to be a woman and be able to hit the low growls like this. The speed of the words is also challenging! I like that she mixes it up with the higher screams as well. I feel like she is recognizable as a woman although people that haven’t heard women growl may not.

Music

I enjoy a fast pace such as the one the drums set. I suppose there is a certain level of chaos that keeps a smile on my face. This seems to have some chaotic elements but there are moments when a riff comes out and takes over. The songs are kept pretty short which is not something I have a problem with.

Lyrics

The drummer, Jay, and vocalist Mallika both have a part in lyric writing. They seem to be concerned for the world we live in. They make it known.

Monarch Alpha

A natural consequence of mental defense
Repeat the agonizing process
One man, many personalities

To me these lines are talking about the defences we put up to protect ourselves. This goes on to mention the case of someone who has developed many personalities, which is a mental health issue that can develop in response to trauma. But also sometimes even if we don’t have this specific type of mental illness we may have many ways we deal with things. Almost like we have different personalities.

My mutation - needs daily medication
A fail safe to keep a weapon subservient
Miss a dose and my death is unstoppable

This makes me think of how we feel powerless sometimes and like we better not make waves against powerful people. It is crazy how many people just follow blindly without their own thought or investigation. 

Penance

This song seems to be referring to being taken by force, even without any cause. In other words, the mission is to destroy. In a sense, penance is the opposite of this. Instead of wiping out people and punishing them, a person feels remorse and repentance for something he or she actually did wrong.

Senseless carnage
Unqualified, unjustified
An agency of absurdity, the epitome of excessive force
Tactically paramilitary with a history of shooting first

Kakistocracy

Kakistocracy is a word that is new to me. It means when a system of government is led by the worst possible leaders. The word says it all as far as what this is about.

A house of pseudo representatives
Devoid of all accountability
Corrupt courts of supreme hypocrisy
The rule of law in the hands of criminals
The oval office under foreign occupation
Total subversion of a once free republic

Transmogrification of the Echoborgs

Another great use of words. Echoborg is someone whose words and actions are controlled to some extent by artificial intelligence. This song gives the visual of a world transforming from human to more programmed pieces of equipment.

The conversion was instant, no one could resist it
Worldwide submission of the echoborgs
Cerebral infiltration, cognitive augmentation
Transmogrification of the echoborgs

A Catastrophic and Catalyzing Event

This song seems to be referring to 911. There are some that believe the acts were an inside job. This song puts that idea into words.

An act of organized chaos streaming to the masses
Programming this enormous lie
Precision guided weapons, disguised as hijacked airplanes
Without a single soul inside

Aeturnum

Instrumental

Dying Breed

This song speaks to the fate of humans that follow blindly, trust, and don’t question.

Sit when told to sit
Stand when told to stand
Give up your humanity
Autonomy for a paycheck

A Seething Perversion

This song is speaking to the large pedophile population in this world. It is astounding how much of an issue this is. Children need to be protected! Yet over and over we hear of adults that don’t believe children’s stories and predators that roam the streets. This song is about this terror.

Scapegrace predators, serial molesters
Overwhelming addiction, so many victims
A seething perversion beyond disturbing
A cult of pedophiles feeding on juveniles

Curb Stomp

This song has lyrical content that is more violent then I generally like. I do understand that there are many things in life that can enrage, and anger in music is real!

A waste of life, unworthy of existence,
You can't replace the things you took from me,
You live the lie, an ordinary fiction,
It won't erase your true identity

These words seem to be saying that a person is tried and true, or in other words has proven to be terrible. I know we have all met people that seem like they need a good beating or to be locked up. By all means people need protection from a person such as is being mentioned. But in the still moments, deep inside that person, there is a person that I hope makes changes. I don’t put my head back in the trap but I do hope the best for the person.

Abandon all hope now,
Beg for your fucking life, this you will not survive,
Blood, sweat, piss and tears, all hope disappears,
Hog tied face down
Skull stomped into the ground

These words are a clever way to end this album. Basically this horrible person has met their death.

Playlist Pick

I am noticing a pattern that I really like the first song on many albums. This one is no different.

I think Monarch Alpha really gets you into the right frame of mind for the rest of the album. It will make it to my mixed playlist.

I will also add Seething Perversion. Although it is a hard topic, it contains a lot of passion and I love the layout of this song!