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The second album from Rochester, New York’s Psyopus (and their debut on Metal Blade Records) finds the band continuing to do what they do best—playing mind-boggling, carpal tunnel-inducing tech metal. Our Puzzling Encounters Considered showcases the band’s aptitude at playing—or more aptly, constructing—discordant, spastic and entirely pummeling tech metal freak-outs that range from 32 seconds to nearly 5 minutes.

Not unlike their debut on Black Market Activities, Ideas of Reference, Our Puzzling Encounters Considered is a chaotic 38-minute long (not counting the overly-ridiculous 28-minute long secret track) lesson in unorthodox drum, bass and guitar virtuosity. Without a shadow of a doubt, it is grossly evident that these gentlemen can play their instruments. However, their greatest achievement is also their greatest downfall, as the dizzying display of technical proficiency is just that—dizzying. Given, the band does include two instrumental tracks that show the band in a different light (the almost Dysrhythmia-like "Imogen’s Puzzle Pt. 2" and the gloomy yet gentle "Siobhanis Song"), 90% of Our Puzzling Encounters Considered is breakneck tech-grind-jazz-metal that would leave even the most adamant music theorist entirely “puzzled” as song structure is thrown almost entirely out the window.

While the blazing display of uber-technical instrumental wizardry is utterly impressive, it is a double-edged sword and serves to sabotage the band as the listener is left feeling a little lost and wholly exhausted. Indeed, it takes a very careful ear and a tremendous appreciation for extremely heavy music to fully comprehend what Psyopus are able to conjure up on this album—a task many might find a bit too daunting.

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Reviewer: Chris Hodge Added: March 7th 2007