Has anyone ever come across Cosmic Death Metal? I feel like I've missed out on something absolutely mystical. But, I have my exposure to it today in the form of UNIVERSALLY ESTRANGED and their debut album "Reared Up In Spectral Predation". The artwork looks like an insane psych fuelled trip and I cannot get enough of looking at it. Opening the album is the creatively named "(Intro)" and it is a whirlwind ethereal experience that really sets the atmosphere.

"Despoiling Souls Of Flesh Across The Galaxy" doesn't pull any punches. Instantly erupting into a wall of energy and aggressive tracking. The low guttural vocals working in tandem with the drums to really drive the tracking forwards. A small note to the subtle 'laser beams' in the back tracking to really add a different twist on the music that was entertaining. "The Visitor" continues the stylings in much of a muchness, but some of the breakdowns present are HEAVY, lets take this cosmic idea that UNIVERSALLY ESTRANGED have coined. Scientists reckon that black holes are the densest known thing in the galaxy, they've clearly not been exposed to these breakdowns. A really nice touch was the digitised ending, synth heavy short and punctuated notes really accented the celestial themes.

The music is nothing if not busy, but in a good way. Whilst "A Thing, Oozing In" passes at a comparative stroll, with a bass line that seemed reminiscent of walking Blues. "Sentient Meatsack" really reinjects some exuberance and pace. But I think that you, reader, should take some time to really listen to "Teeming With That Of Unknown Origin". The complex structures, the backtracking subtleties and the overall sheer fucking attitude that oozes through my headphones is utterly mesmerising. Words would not do it justice. I'll just jump us forwards a bit, to "Blistered Under The Blue Illusion". There is a real old school Heavy Metal feel to this track, the structures are sublime, the flow and direction utterly flawless. But what, to me, is most important in any finale to an album, it stamps the record shut with some serious authority. A final track should send the record down screaming and clawing to be remembered, and there are many different ways to ensure that is done; but sometimes the album fades into obscurity... I can assure you reader, that "Reared Up In Spectral Predation" does not go willingly nor quietly, and I assure you that you will not be disappointed.