Psychonaut

Belgian post metal/sludge peddlers Psychonaut self-released their 2018 debut ‘Unfold the God Man’, putting them squarely in the crosshairs of Pelagic Records, who promptly re-released the album. It’s no secret our country has no shortage of homegrown talent but few bands come to fruition as fast as Psychonaut. Their sophomore effort 'Violate Consensus Reality' is without a doubt one of the best metal albums of 2022. Lyrically it delves into themes of collective human consciousness and the idea of transcending perceived separations to form a unified civilisation. Musically, it forges a well-balanced whole consisting of progressive, psychedelic, sludge and post-metal influences, creating a dense yet dynamic soundscape. The album garnered rave reviews at home and abroad, and the title track features guest appearances by Stefanie Mannaerts (Brutus) and Colin H. van Eeckhout (Amenra). The combination of Stefanie’s clean vocals and Colin’s agonised shrieks is spine-chilling, providing one of many highlights on an album that marries flawless musicianship, exceptional songwriting and lyrical relevance. Talk about a highly anticipated GMM debut! #GMM25