Album Review: Sonus Mortis – Synapse The Hivemind (Self Released)

Carl Fisher 2 min read

As prolific as ever, symphonic death and doom metal solo project, Sonus Mortis (aka multi-instrumentalist Kevin Byrne), is back. Following the release of ‘Of Red Barren Earth’ in 2023, the 8th album, ‘Synapse the Hivemind’ will be released on March 27th, 2025.

Kevin Byrne is extremely talented and continues to produce exceptional music with Sonus Mortis. Revealing even darker, and addictive, layers to the symphonic death and doom foundation that will be so familiar to long term listeners.

Setting the bar high with Biomechanical Horrors, Sonus Mortis comes rampaging out of hellish depths with an intimidating set of brutish riffs, garish symphonic melodies, and harsh vocals. The stench of death is strong here, but once again, it has creative depth. Something further exemplified by the blackened intensity of Eyes in the Sky, which is oozing with sinister atmosphere.

Speaking of sinister atmosphere though, I Used to Be Human is a devilish listen that switches up the tempo in sinful fashion. It’s Sonus Mortis as its catchiest, all because of the melodic harmonisation, showing that this one-man band isn’t stagnating. Still, as enjoyable as that is, a brutish listen like The System Shock kicks just as much ass. The intensity heightened by the symphonic aspects and the progressive tinge it has.

The second half of the album arrives in very creative, but very noisy fashion. It’s The Perfect Host and the darkness that permeates so much of the Sonus Mortis sound is here in garish form. This track has some interesting vocal layering and clean moments that help keep the formula feeling fresh.

The whole album has a sci-fi feel but nowhere is that stronger then with The Unravelling Array and not just because of the recording that talks about the extinction of the human race as advancements in technology runs rampant. Though that certainly sets a scene, and the blast of synthy melody and metal that follows expands upon that.

Then there is the title track and Deracinated. The former showing off a bit more of a performance with clean vocals working alongside the familiar fierce voice and sharp guitar soloing. Whereas the latter is so theatrical. The symphonic aspects of Sonus Mortis are heightened to intense levels. Although, rest assured, it’s still dripping with dark heaviness.

Finally, and satisfyingly, it’s a head banger of a closing track, a raucous and rampaging closing track. It’s Slaves to the Algorithm (Execute the Code) and it’s as heavy and hellacious as anything else on the album but features a level of experimental intensity that pushes Sonus Mortis in a wild, exciting new direction. It’s still death and doom with symphonic elements but evolved. The future might be uncertain, but not when it comes to quality releases from Sonus Mortis. That’s a guarantee.

Sonus Mortis – Synapse the Hivemind Track Listing:

1. Biomechanical Horrors
2. Eyes in the Sky
3. I Used to Be Human
4. The System Shock
5. The Perfect Host
6. The Unravelling Array
7. Synapse the Hivemind
8. Deracinated
9. Slaves to the Algorithm (Execute the Code)




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Sonus Mortis - Synapse The Hivemind (Self Released)
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