Band:	Psalm
Album:	Manifest
Style:	Metalcore
Release date:	February 2008

01. Through The Maze (Intro)
02. Ecce Homo
03. Layers Of Impiety
04. Exhortation
05. Paradox
06. Renewal (Deconstruction. Reconstruction.)

Psalm is an extreme metal band hailing from Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. This extreme metal approach is only the latest turning point in the band's history, as they apparently started out as a metalcore-oriented outfit back in 2004. Last year, after some severe line-up changes the band decided wisely to eliminate the metalcore and modern influences, and more black and death metal elements were introduced, consequently pushing the music in a more extreme direction. The band's latest EP release, appropriately entitled "Manifest", can thus be considered as the public declaration of the new, more extreme principles and intentions the members from Psalm are aiming for these days.

Now, I can assure you, this Manifest is really something! For several reasons. Being Belgian myself and never having heard of this band before, I was happily surprised the first several times I gave this release a spin. You know, it's always delightful when you take a step into the dark and find something as surprisingly good as this. Certainly when that something surprisingly good turns out to be produced in your own country. Secondly, without even intending to jump on the metalcore/whatevercore bandwagon, you got to admire the decision of the band to trade metalcore influences instead for more extreme metal influences. Certainly when a lot of bands seemingly choose to make the switch the other way around these days (remember what happened with the much talked-of Unspoken King?). But most importantly, this release is a real powerhouse, of which the cornerstones are skilled force and mature viciousness. On top of that, there is also enough room for creativity and variety, working up to a certain form of subtle originality. For example, the lyrics go from English over German to Latin, and you'll hear creepy catacomb shrieks in one song while there is some classic Gregorian chant mixed in the other one. All five tracks have many tempo-changes and are all spiced up with some tight (even thrashy) riffs, without losing the melodious aspect of the songs out of sight. Given the black metal elements, some of these songs even get pretty infectiously filthy in this way. This EP is "dark but catchy", and is really brimming over with intensity.

Intensity is indeed the right keyword to describe Psalm, let alone this plain excellent EP, the best. However, the variety and melodic creativity make this release quite accessible at the same time, and I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy the work of Psalm. One thing must be clear: this is absolutely not another band in the extreme metal genre. For sure, Psalm is a band that only needs an intro and five waves of fury to undeniably convince their listeners they have a lot potential and have all that it takes to become a much-anticipated band in the metal scene. Psalm is clearly reborn and has found their right way, that's for sure. The band is currently working on some new material, and this next full-length release, which undoubtedly won't go by unnoticed, is already something you can start looking forward to... I know I will.