Last Retch "Abject Cruelty" (Review)

Last Retch Abject Cruelty

2025 Time to Kill Records (CD/LP/CS)

timetokill-records.com

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Last Retch comes from Canada, and this is their second full-length. We like to cover bands with references to puke here at Ominous Vomit, so Last Retch was an immediate must-listen. They play uncomplicated but highly effective 1990s style death metal with lots of heavy grooves and neck-snapping riffs. I say "uncomplicated" but that doesn't mean overly simple or basic - these guys have chops and tons of songwriting talent. Their vocalist is very strong, with an incredibly rich-sounding growl, deep and sonorous, with killer vocal patterns. I could listen to his vocals all day - his sound is unique and powerful, turning in a masterful performance. I like his vocals as much as I like the vocals on old Grave records, and if you know me, that is high praise. The focus here is on the heavy, not fast or technical, although there is plenty of ability. They do heavy extremely well. Last Retch has a unique sound that is not easily comparable to other bands in the genre, and that's a feat in and of itself. This album is worth your hard-earned dollars.

Necrogenesis "Desire for Murder" (Review)

Necrogenesis Desire for Murder

2025 Coyote Records (CD)

coyoterecords.ru

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the second release and first full length for this Russian death mob. They're clearly heavily influenced by Cannibal Corpse, both in riffs and vocals, specifically the Barnes era. That doesn't detract from what is essentially a solid death metal record. Instead of whipping up into a blast all the time, we get killer breakdown after killer breakdown between the verses, each with monster grooves and great riffs. When this band does introduce a blast beat they hit you right in the face with it and then pound you with another heavy-ass breakdown. They're very skilled songwriters that know the power and value of a good hook. The more the album progresses the clearer it is to me that these are some damn fine musicians as well, with plenty of talent and technique. The drummers rolls and fills are superb and add a lot to the music on his own. If you don't mind something stylistically close to Cannibal Corpse that is nonetheless awesome, this is an album to track down.

Dawn of Ash "Descend into Violence" (Review)

Dawn of Ash Descend into Violence

2025 Independent (Digital) / Iron Fortress (CS)

dawnofash.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first release, an EP, from this San Antonio death squad. It's a seamless mixture of brutal death metal and hardcore - the hardcore in their sound tempers the songwriting and anchors it with catchy breakdowns. The vocals remind me a lot of Frank Mullen, but with a bit of "tough guy" in the sound. This is yet another band that reminds me of Catalepsy from the Heralds of Oblivion compilation from 1993, and I don't mind. They're one of my favorites from that release, so when bands carry on a sound, whether intentional or not, I like it. The drums specifically are perfectly recorded for this style, with a nice natural sound and a lot of pop on the snare. This won't be every deathmaniac's cup of tea, but it sure is mine. I say this because they're geared quite a bit toward hardcore in their sound. I just wish the songs were slightly more intense with some faster tempos occasionally, since they spend most of their time mid-paced. Overall, not bad for a first release, and I look forward to more from them.

Metaphobic "Deranged Excruciations" (Review)

Metaphobic Deranged Excruciations

2025 Everlasting Spew Records (CD/LP/CS)

everlastingspew.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first full length from this Atlanta death squad. It's brutal, always-on-the-attack death metal with croaking, guttural vocals and riffs that swirl around your head. They break things down into a groove at the best possible times and deliver bone-crushing results when doing it. Melody finally presents itself at the beginning of the second track, "Mental Deconstruction." The vocals are cavernous, but not without thought and intent, and there are proper vocal patterns. There's almost a black metal feel to the third track, "Execration," which has a cold, unholy feel to the riffs before it transcends into death metal territory again. Some of the things they're doing musically evade my ability to describe properly, but are quite unique. The riffs seem to run at angles sometimes, rather than in a straight line. There are some really interesting approaches here. Proper songwriting tempers the wild musicianship, though, and this is thoroughly catchy. This is one to watch if you want something a bit different.

Necrofetus "Demonic Necrotic Contamination" (Review)

Necrofetus Demonic Necrotic Contamination

2025 Independent (Digital)

thetruenecrofetus.bandcamp.com

3/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first and only EP from Necrofetus from Alabama. This is a fairly amateur attempt at a death metal record, with songs that are more like chained-together riffs than arranged music. The riffs tend to plod on for too long, drums following them like they're stuck together with glue. The vocals have no real patterns, just growls overtop riffs for the most part, but in time to the music, of course. There are a few moments that give this project some hope, like the few standout riffs scattered through the songs. There are flashes of something more, something special. It's not the most awful thing I've ever heard, especially as first releases go, but it's not awesome, either. Back to the drawing board for this band.

Unknown Subject "Democracies Die!" (Review)

Unknown Subject Democracies Die!

2025 Independent (Digital)

unknownsbjct.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is not what I expected from Finland. This is wickedly technical death metal with a beast of a vocalist who sounds remarkably like Corpsegrinder. It's technical, yes, but not to the point of being masturbatory. The songs are craftily written, and this is one band that's not afraid of repeating a great riff. They use proper verses and choruses, as well. Some clean vocals creep into the tracks, much like Emperor's use of them, but they only add to the music, rather than detract from the brutality. They're usually added with a darkly melodic passage and they're used sparingly. Cannibal Corpse's recent work is clearly an influence on this band, and you can hear it all through their songs. The vocals are fucking strong - every bit as clearly produced and understandable as Corpsegrinder's, with the singer's own little inflections. The patterns are incredibly well done, punchy and rhythmic, adding to the power of the music. I love music with a good vocalist, and this one really does the job.

Ligament "Demo MMXXV" (Review)

Ligament Demo MMXXV

2025 Headsplit Records

headsplitrecords.blogspot.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Hailing from the scummy depths of Ohio's scene comes Ligament, purveyors of vicious grinding death metal and goregrind. The vocals are layered with effects and pitch-shifted to the depths of hell for the most part. Cannibal Corpse is a clear influence, as can be heard from the riffs in "Feast for the Legions," but it has but the slightest bearing on their overall sound. Carcass influence, however, is rife here, in the dirtiness of the production to the way the instruments sound. Catchy-as-fuck riffs make for memorable song amid all the blasting. For some crazy reason some of their riffs and more oddball vocal choices remind me of Schnauzer, Jim Konya's wacky thrash/hardcore project. This makes sense since these guys are from the Cleveland scene (members of Noxis and Inoculation are involved). One of the things I like the most is the super-fast rolls the drummer uses as fills, especially between blasts. He's fun to hear.

Cthonica "Bone Altars of the Vanished Sun" (Review)

Cthonica Bone Altars of the Vanished Sun

2025 Independent (Digital) / Profaner Records (CS)

cthonica777.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the third full length from this Venezuelan cult. They play a brutal, grinding black/death hybrid that falls more on the death metal side of the equation. Downtuned, chainsaw-like guitars and fast-as-fuck blast beats pound away relentlessly. The drum sound is full of pop and is super smooth, capturing the frantic work behind the kit flawlessly. The blasts are almost the speed of a band like Brodequin. There's as much evidence to claim Grave influence as there is Conqueror or Revenge here - it lies in both wheelhouses. The vocals are deep and cavernous, sometimes croaking, adding morbid texture to the music. Shorter songs would help this band out a lot. The first track is over nine minutes long and I just don't like long tracks - they do, however, take care to try to keep it interesting. They don't always succeed, but they get close. For instance, one track is nearly thirteen minutes long, but it's split up into sections by adding little interludes. Why not just a separate song? It seems an odd creative decision.

Purging "Demo" (Review)

Purging Demo

2025 Independent (Digital)/Noxious Ruin Records (CS)

purgingdeath.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is incredibly heavy, dark death metal from California with heavy grooves and infectious songwriting. It has a claustrophobic production that really helps to elevate their personality. This is what I want from dark death metal, not another Incantation clone. I want great riffs, groove, and a cloying production, but without sounding like it was recorded in a goddamn cave. There are plenty of great riffs without compromising the dark atmosphere. They have an aspect of brutal death metal to their sound also, which manifests in fast blast beats and unusual arrangements, as well as some guttural vocals. This is powerful stuff, and the vocalist is suitably powerful as well. I loved the little Gorguts-style grunt at the end of "Cymatic Bludgeoning." On "Magnificent Hallucinations," the guitarist gets to show off a bit, adding textures and melody during the slow start of the song, which is nearly nine minutes long, and the meat of the song doesn't start until about the five-minute mark. I would have put a faster song after this, but they chose to keep it slower with "Savage Butchery," although it kicks up a bit as the song progresses.

Death Pulsation "Demo" (Review)

Death Pulsation Demo

2025 Caligari Records (CS)

caligarirecords.storenvy.com

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Finally we have a real death metal band from Sweden! Death Pulsation play ripping death metal that reminds me of Crucifire (Australia), Angelcorpse, and especially Kaamos (for the rhythm section at least), and perhaps a little bit of Dissection. This is not your run-of-the-mill Swedish chainsaw death metal that everyone and their brother's band seems to play, this is true, gritty, nasty, old-school death metal the way it ought to be played. It hearkens back to a time when bands like Repulsion and Possessed were the main influences on bands. The vocalist reminds me a lot of Pete Helmkamp. There's a black metal edge to their sound at times, too, which helps add more textures to their attack. The three songs here go by quickly, but this is probably the best demo I've heard this year, and I definitely need a fuckin' full length from these guys. I immediately bought this from Caligari after hearing it, that's how good it is.

Spectral Souls "Conspirachronicles" (Review)

Spectral Souls Conspirachronicles

2025 Black Legion Records (CD)

facebook.com/blacklegionrecs

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the second full length from this Peruvian death cult. We get brutal Morbid Angel-style death metal with some clear Death influence as well. This blows away anything Morbid Angel themselves have done since Formulas..., and it's nice to see a band take this style and make it their own. The guitarist is a shredder, with talented solos all though these songs, using melodies and harmonies. The vocalist uses a yelled growl, mid-range, and has good vocal patterns, quite memorable. He has a very distinct tone and doesn't sound like anyone else that I know. The riffs are infectious and nicely arranged for maximum impact and intensity. This is firmly in the camp of late '80s, early '90s death metal, and even the production reeks of it. The drummer's double bass skills are on full display on this record, and he seems to revel in the rolls and fills he performs - he has personality behind that kit. This is fully recommended for all the death-maniacs reading this!

Final Error "Daemonium in Nobis" (Review)

Final Error Daemonium in Nobis

2025 Kernkraftritter Records (CD)

kernkraftritter-records.de

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the third full length from this German band. It's fairly average death/thrash - nothing bad about it, but nothing truly spectacular, either. It's much more toward the thrash end of the spectrum than the death metal end. In fact, it rather reminds me of later Sodom records. Adding some blastbeats would go a long way toward making this more intense during the fast parts. It's not as interesting as it could be if the intensity was cranked up a bit in the compositions. I don't know if these guys are trend-hopping, either, because apparently they used to be more of a thrash/crossover act and then somewhere along the line they added death metal to their sound. Hopefully they just finally found their real sound. My verdict on the record is that I could take it or leave it, but I wouldn't turn it off if it was being played. I'll wait on the next record from them to see if it's any better, if they record one. The cover art and logo are fantastic, though.

Genocider "Buried Alive" (Review)

Genocider Buried Alive

2025 Independent (Digital)

genocider.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first demo from this Polish band. The recording is a bit rough, but that is to be expected with a demo, and it gives the music character. They've managed to concoct some good heavy riffs and capable songs. The vocalist uses deep, powerful growls that sound evil as fuck. There's almost a d-beat feel to this demo with its punked-up rhythm section. In the first track the bass is either strangely high in the mix, or just off-balance with the guitars, I haven't decided which. This seems to be fixed on the second track. In fact, each song on this demo (4 in all) have different recording qualities, like it was done in four completely different sessions and never mastered. I vastly preferred the mix on the second track, so hopefully when this band records again we get something more like this.

Hellgrav "Dehumanized" (Review)

Hellgrav Dehumanized

2025 Independent (Digital) / Rat Covenant Records (CS)

hellgravdm.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

9/10 for the song Chainsaw Crew

This German band has given us their first full length, following up just one EP prior. This is Swedish-style death metal with a more aggressive approach than usual for bands of this style. They key things I look for in this style are all there - big riffs, a punked-up drummer, that nasty growling chainsaw guitar. However, this doesn't get past the "it's pretty good" stage and into blowing my mind. It's very ok stuff. I'm picky with this style since so many bands sound the damn same that play it. The best song here by a mile is "Chainsaw Crew," which might as well be d-beat crust punk. I like the singer's rapid-fire delivery on the verses, and the crescendo the song builds until the blastbeats hit. It's a perfect song and I wish there were more of this on the album. 

Lacrimorphosis "Chronosphere" (Review)

Lacrimorphosis Chronosphere

2025 Independent (Digital)

lacrimorphosis.bandcamp.com

1/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

It's wild that this is the eleventh full length from this band, but I have an issue with that. This might as well be three different bands contributing to that total. It looks as if they were originally a dark, suicidal black metal band, then dungeon synth, and now death metal. I can't figure that out. Why? Is this a case of trend-hopping? Death metal is popular now, just as DSBM and dungeon synth were in the past few years. Are we just trying stuff to see what sticks? Anyhow, on to the music. This is a later-era Death clone band, right down to vocal patterns and riffing style. It lacks the originality and inspiration and musical genius of someone like Chuck Schuldiner, however. The fact that it's a Death worship band doesn't bother me (I listen to plenty of clone bands), it's the fact that it's just not passionate like the material Chuck originally penned (even thought I don't like his later material, I will readily admit how talented it was). This just isn't done well enough to be worth the listen. The cover is pretty cool, though, I'll give it that, and the logo is fantastic.