SPACECORPSE – Shapeshifter (EP)
Release Date: 26th July 2024
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Technical Death Metal, Cosmic Death Metal.
FFO: Born of Osiris, Archspire, Allagaeon, Entheos.
Review By: Andy Spoon
Denver, Colorado’s Spacecorpse is set to release their latest work, Shapeshifter on July 26th. Filled with a devastating blend of heavy guitars and drums, Shapeshifter is a colossus of an EP that has atmosphere, technical prowess, excellent audio mix, and never manages to get boring. I was immediately impressed that the vocal range across the EP is varied, avoiding a metric, rhythmic vocal attack that can become taxing over time. As a result, listeners will be rewarded on a constant basis for paying attention, something that will certainly appeal to the modern extreme metal music fan. The whole of the EP is something that I would easily put next to 2024 releases like Aborted and Ingested, bands who employ a similar attack and range.
There’s a lot of hints of older school death metal in this, or perhaps even brutal death metal, something coming in the form of really disgustingly-low breakdowns or gurgles from the vocal sections. There are more than enough satisfying elements from the “dorty” side of death metal to juxtapose against the cleaner image of the technical DM bands, who are often known for going extra clean in the recording and delivery. This is something that is going to help Spacecorpse differentiate themselves from the pack of bands like Born of Osiris, Rings of Saturn, or Archspire, whose technicality often leads to them being defined by a cleaner, more modern sound.
There were more than a few moments on the EP where I was in complete disgust at the gorgeousness of the grind-ey, ugly attack of the vocals, the screeching guitars and pinch notes, especially on the title track, Shapreshifter, which has the tech death breakdown of the year, in the same vein as Cattle Decapitation, perhaps. It simply must be heard to enjoy. I cannot imagine anyone hearing that track without being absolutely spellbound at the single moment I’m referring to. You’ll just have to find out for yourself.
One of the fun aspects of the EP is the bonus track at the end, an homage to Metallica’s To Whom The Bell Tolls, but given a distinctly-extreme cover. I thought the EP was a fun and technically-proficient romp that might be enjoyable live. Before this, I hadn’t heard of Spacecorpse, but I think that these guys are putting some stuff together that demands the attention of the extreme metal scene. It’s hard to describe exactly how I want to compare these guys, as I think the EP is very good. There are more than a few memorable moments. It’s worth a few spins to really soak it all up. There’s no doubt in my mind that this effort is above-average and should be regarded as a contender for your time and attention.
Does it check every one of my boxes? Not necessarily, but these guys might be great contenders to take up the mantle of some of the proggy death metal bands that are exiting the scene or breaking up. I think we’re in a newer day and age of deathcore and extreme metal where the shackles are being broken off. There are bands who blend the lines between genres, making each respective “scene” a little smaller – hence my using the term “Extreme” metal instead of something kitchy like “old school-inspired technical death metal with the teensiest hint of ‘core nouveau’ “. It’s just good rock that pays homage to older -style death metal vocals, but includes new elements and popular vocal techniques that are worthy of note in today’s scene. 
(4 / 5)
