Psyopus

Hailing from Rochester, New York, Psyopus specializes in an avant-garde style of art metal that juxtaposes exceptional technical proficiency against unstructured compositions and an intensely eccentric performance style reminiscent of Mr. Bungle or the Dillinger Escape Plan pushed toward greater extremes of eccentricity. The ensemble came together during autumn 2002 through the efforts of prodigious guitarist Christopher "Arpmandude" Arp—who contributes regularly to Decibel magazine and earned a regional victory in Limp Bizkit's notorious 2001 guitarist competition—alongside singer Adam Frappoli, bass player Fred DeCoste, and percussionist Jon Cole. Their initial foray into releasing this meticulously arranged sonic pandemonium arrived with the 2004 album Ideas of Reference. Subsequently aligning with Metal Blade Records, the band issued their follow-up effort Our Puzzling Encounters Considered in 2007, after which they embarked on tours alongside fellow extreme metal acts including the Acacia Strain, Job for a Cowboy, and Daath.