SInister Void--By Rot and Shrapnel (CD) (2026 Metal Race Records)

metalrace.com

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Sinister Void play completely heads-down death thrash that reminds me of the best of the late '80s and early '90s death metal scene. They don't focus on speed but on grimace-inducing heavy thrashing riffs with driving rhythms behind them, much like the power that Demolition Hammer showed off in their time but tempered with Massacre-style death metal. This is heavy death thrash with growled vocals, not your typical party thrash masquerading as something more vile. The double bass drumming fires like a machine gun through a lot of this material, which is nice to hear. It adds some serious intensity to the songs. The band inevitably breaks each song down into a heavy-ass death metal groove, and I love when they do it. It makes the songs so much heavier. They also don't piss around with songs that are too long, either, most being around that sweet spot of three minutes or so. I've been looking for a good band in this style and I'm happy to say I've found them.

Neurologic Pathology--Born of Pathology (CD) (2026 Pathologically Explicit Recordings)

pathologicallyexplicitrecords.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Here we have brutal death metal in the vein of Suffocation and Dying Fetus that has some fantastically technical moments from all instruments. They break up the typical chugging riffs with anything but typical sweeps and arpeggios from the guitars, while the drums are an absolute clinic of brutal death metal percussion. There's a lot of talent here, and brutal-heads will want to pay attention. They also have an endearing habit of breakdown their songs down in the middle of a fast part to focus on a killer groove and they ride that motherfucker until it dies. This album is different enough to have caught my attention and held it, not boring me to death like so many other brutal bands do. Each song is also quite different from the previous one, which can be exceedingly difficult to do in this style, trapped as it is in the confines of the genre. This is one you do not want to pass up if you prefer the brutal shit. Well worth it.

Doctrine of Gore--Blood Sacrifice (CS) (2026 Independent)

doctrineofgore.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

After opening with a Goblin-esque intro, we get four tracks of decently crafted and heavy death metal that focuses on groove and heaviness overall. They remind me just a little of 200 Stab Wounds but without that band's superlative songwriting skill. I don't like some of the dissonance in the riffs that appears here and there on this record, that's always been a no-go for me. Otherwise the riffs are serviceable if not always memorable. There are a few bass drops present here as well as some quite typical breakdowns, which is unfortunate, because this has so much potential to have such trendy aspects in it. I think with more refinement of their sound this band could be quite good, as they're on the upside of average at this point. This isn't bad for a first EP at all, and I wish them continued success while they find their own sound.

Dripping Decay--Ripping Remains (CD/LP) (2024 Satanik Royalty Records)

satanikroyaltyrecords.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

I thought I'd give this a review even though it appears the band has split up since this was released. I really like the recent trend (I know, a bad word) toward '70s and '80s inspired horror movie intros, and there's a very short one that leads off this record. They just perfectly set up the record's atmosphere when they're present. I think they're perfect for death metal, especially when the band is a bit of a throwback like this one. This band included Neil Smith, one time member of Blood Freak and Frightmare, and there is a bit of that old Razorback sound mixed into this band's effluence. Other than these bands, I can hear a bit of Molder in their sound. The recording is spacious, giving plenty of room to all the instruments, even the bass guitar, which is nice to hear. Not a lot of death metal bands let the bass really perform out front, or at least equally. Vocally we get mid-range to low growls that sound like the singer is on the verge of vomiting occasionally. It's a perfectly nasty performance. Overall, it's not an absolutely astounding record, but it is a decent one, and definitely worth a listen.

Crypts of Golgotha--Disembodied in the Arms of Perdition (LP) (2026 Return Trip Records)

returntriprecords.bandcamp.com

3/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Crypts of Golgotha return with their first full length, but overall it's a pretty uninspired effort. The songs are just average to below average, with a few good riffs sprinkled in. They are part of the new wave of death metal bands that focus a lot on groove over speed, and that's perfectly fine, but there's just not a lot of memorable hooks here. On top of that, this sounds so overproduced, with volumes pushed to the limit, the drums especially close to distortion. There's just no need for brickwalling like this. The vocals are a low growl with some highs tossed in for good measure and emphasis on certain vocal lines. And the biggest travesty of all is the bass drops - this is a trend that needs to go away. They're completely unnecessary and distracting, not to mention they step all over the recording itself. Sorry boys, but this is a hard pass for me.

Lithopaedia--Inferno (Digital) (2026 New Standard Elite)

lithopaedia-ca.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Lithopaedia from LA play a groove-forward style of brutal death metal that I found quite satisfying because it had so many catchy riffs and rhythms, with lots of changes and time shifts. They tend to find a groove in each song that they layer and exploit, and then intersperse blasting sections to really ramp up the intensity. So many brutal death metal bands aren't intense, but that's not the case with these guys. Nor do they mindlessly slam like so many other bands. This is real brutal death metal for the real brutal maniacs. What's more is they're using more traditional song structures than a lot of brutal death metal bands. Their songwriting is actually coherent and can be very hook-laden at times. The vocals are a guttural croaking noise, not really growls. They're fairly unique and they never get into dreaded pig squeal territory, thankfully. They definitely sound ugly as fuck, and it fits the music perfectly. This is truly barbaric shit, really savage and heavy, and real brutal maniacs will find this irresistible. It looks like New Standard Elite has at least released this digitally, although I can find no sign of a CD, but I would assume one is coming.

Venomous Invokation--Diabolic Death Metal (CD) (2026 Crow's Nest Records)

crowsnest22.bigcartel.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Venomous Invokation hail from Nashville, TN, and they arise with a new demo with a title that perfectly describes their sound, Diabolic Death Metal. I can hear some similarities to Grotesque, Sadistic Intent, and Unholy Redeemer, mainly in the darkness and morbid atmosphere that all these bands have in common. Venomous Invokation has that same sickness. The vocals are firmly in the "cavernous" camp, with a rather intense echo effect on  them, making them sound both obscene and obscure, and like they were recorded at the bottom of a well. Musically the band is quite solid, with talented lead guitar work, especially on the solos, and whirlwind drums that are tight as can be. I like the layer of mud this recording has, it really gives it personality in a scene that has been overly concerned with perfect recordings. I wish they'd sprinkle in a bit more of the sinister synths they use to open the first track, that would be quite unique. Overall, not a bad effort, but I'll wait to hear more before I form a verdict.

Hating Life--Revenge from Beyond (CD/LP) (2026 Pulverised Records)

pulverised.net

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

From Spain comes this Swedish-style death metal band, a band I was interested in because they named themselves after a Grave song. I figured I was in for death metal of this persuasion, and I was correct. The riffs are big, written for maximum heaviness and morbid atmosphere. They're darker than the average HM-2 style band, bringing in doomy influences and a dark vocal tone. If this had a slightly different guitar sound, they might sound closer to Incantation than Grave, but as it stands it's firmly in the Swedish camp. Just when I wonder if they're more doom influenced than I thought, they return with a fast moment, and dash that assumption on the rocks. Usually once per song they'll deliver a massive groove that acts as the heaviest part of the track, and often sets up a return to the main riffs in the song. The singer's cadence is much like that of Jorgen Sandsstrom, his work on You'll Never See... especially. Tone-wise there's not much in common with him as the singer here is less growly and more grunty. Overall this isn't a bad record at all, and worth a quick listen if you get a chance. It's not going to floor you, but you won't shut it off, either.

The Loop of Henle--Obscene Grotesqueries (CS) (2026 Gurgling Gore Records)

Again we have a band that seems to be part of a growing movement in the underground bent on combining goregrind and death metal in gross and memorable ways. I'm intrigued by this because the scenes were somewhat disparate in the past, with goregrind relegated (in many cases) to the grind and noise scenes. But, from my home state of Michigan comes The Loop of Henle, a goregrind/deathgrind hybrid that takes no prisoners and is thoroughly nasty. They have excellent songs, albeit quite short ones, sharp gory shocks that will stick in your head with enough listens, as the rapidfire songwriting sticks with you after a time. The main vocal style is a pitch shifted growl that sounds like what the cover looks like. Dirty, gross, and goresoaked. Occasionally a high vocal makes an appearance for emphasis on a vocal line or two. There's enough of a death metal side to this to keep even death metal purists interested, and grind fans will be similarly entertained. Not much more can be said about a nine minute record, just check this out if you like filthy deathgrind. Bonus points for a song titled "Scalding Vomit," since we like the barf content here at Ominous Vomit!

Endseeker--Coffin Born (CD/LP) (2026 Metal Blade Records)

www.metalblade.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

It's been three years since last we heard from Endseeker, one of the better of the crop of HM-2 style death metal bands in the world today. They give us four new songs and a cover of David Hasselhoff's recent masterpiece, "True Survivor." And, no, I'm not joking, I love that song and I love David Hasselhoff's singing. They do a fine job adapting the track. Their new material has everything you'd expect from them: big open riffs, a little melody, and good solid songwriting. Although they're not the most interesting of all bands playing this style, they're good songwriters and it really helps make this just that much different. "Coffin Born" is easily the best song here, and it's no wonder they named the EP after it. The songwriting and all the time shifts in the song really makes it interesting as well as the heavy-as-fuck chorus riff. It's intense and furious and a perfect song. As a vehicle for the title track this EP works, and has a few other interesting songs besides, including "True Survivor." A worthy EP release. Plus, the cover is gnarly.

Haserot--Advent of Suffering (CD/LP) (2026 Redefining Darkness Records)

www.redefiningdarkness.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Texas has a hell of a scene, and Haserot from Houston are no exception to the quality of the bands found there. Reminding me of peak Necrophobic, they almost have a European sound to them. The primary vocal style is a high scream, but peppered in are low growls, often layered with the highs. The patterns are nice, rhythmic, and catchy. Often in the songs they break down into a killer groove meant to bang heads. I love these moments, they're what good death metal is made from. These sections often act as a bridge back to the main riffs or a prelude to a solo, and the songcraft is masterful. These are songs. Speaking of solos, we get plenty of them, full of melody and emotion, but they're often quite short, which is just fine. They serve their purpose. The band occasionally employs a doomed-out section which really serves to vary the listening experience. They have such a variation of tempos and themes from song to song that it creates quite a dynamic listen. This is quite a good album, and I will be keeping my eye on this band. They've definitely impressed me.

Serpent Corpse--Retaliate (CD/10") (2025 Transcending Obscurity Records)

tometal.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Again I must say it. I really enjoy some of the bands infusing death metal with metallic hardcore, especially when the riffs are as good as Serpent Corpse's. It strips down the death metal to bare bones and adds catchiness and aggression to an already aggressive musical form. Serpent Corpse welds Merauder-style hardcore riffs to a '90s death metal chassis and the net result is a catchy, heavy, solid piece of death metal with aggressive riffs and a ton of attitude. The vocals remind me quite a bit of Entombed in their early days, with that same yelled roar and tone that LG Petrov had. These four songs are well written and a fun listen, and the band even dips their toes into melody here and there for an extra twist, especially during guitar solos. I definitely want to hear more from this band, so I'll probably look into their back catalog, and I'll eagerly await more material.

Vomepotro--Fall Into Decay (CD) (2026 Brutal Mind Records)

brutal-mind.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

It's been seventeen years since Vomepotro graced our ears with a record, and it's a welcome return, I must say. They're still every bit as brutal as they were, and for those that are unfamiliar, their style is reminiscent of Suffocation, Deeds of Flesh, and Severe Torture. The riffing is excellent and can be very catchy, especially when they find a groove they like. It's quite technical stuff, and the interplay between guitars and drums is tight as can be. The vocals are of the "Dr. Claw" variety, low in the throat and deep, but occasionally there are high screams and gutturals. There are hooks everywhere in this, and the songwriting is to be commended. This isn't just brutality for its own sake, it has intent and direction. It helps that the vocals have good rhythmic patterns, it instantly helps the songs become more memorable. This record is absolutely worth repeated listens and I highly recommend it to the brutal maniacs.

Sarcoughagus--Remnants (CD/LP) (2024 Rotted Life Records)

rottedlife.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Coming from my former home state of Ohio is Sarcoughagus, giving us some damn fine death metal. There are five new songs here plus two what I believe to be re-recorded versions of songs from their previous full length. Stylistically they remind me of old Death, old Deicide, and Autopsy. The production certainly gives them some personality - it's clean with a raw edge. Vocally the singer boasts a deep roar and his sound is impressive. He reminds me quite a bit of Glen Benton in the early days, especially in the vocal patterns. When they find a groove they like, they stick with it, which I like. There are tons of hooks in the songwriting, classic death metal tricks of the trade, that draw you in and bang your head. I like these new bands that are throwbacks to the '90s - I can't get enough of it. There are so many good death metal bands these days it's almost unbelievable. This EP is definitely worth the price of admission, so track it down however you can.

No Shelter--Remission/Resolve (LP/CS) (2026 This Charming Man Records)

thischarmingmanrecords.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

No Shelter has mixed a base of Swedish-style death metal with metallic hardcore and it's a vicious concoction that hits like Entombed and Earth Crisis at the same time. I really like the experimentation with mixing death metal and hardcore that's been happening in the underground lately. It always serves to strip down the death metal side into something simpler and catchier, many times improving what would otherwise be ho-hum, more of the same. Vocally, we get hypercharged hardcore vocals like you'd find in a crust or d-beat band, just vicious and pissed off with a metal edge to them. And occasionally he slips into a growl when it suits him, showing he can do both, but I think his primary screaming style is sufficient. This is one of the more unique bands I've ever heard, and no one is mixing these styles quite like this. It's totally original sounding, and they're just playing what they like, and that's great. Now I have to go dig into their back catalog because I now am very interested in seeing if their other records are this good.