Wretched Fate "Incineration of the Pious" (Review)

Wretched Fate Incineration of the Pious

2024 Redefining Darkness Records (CS)

redefiningdarkness.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

What a shock! This Swedish style death metal band is actually Swedish! We get three original tracks plus covers of Morbid Angel ("Domination"), Bloodbath ("Like Fire"), and Nihilist ("Abnormally Deceased"). I couldn't think of three bands that encapsulate Wretched Fate's sound any better, actually. They're a mix of all three. The Morbid Angel influence shines through in that the band is distinctly more technical than most others that play this style, and is especially noticeable in the drums. This is polished and refined metal, perfectly written and the equal of any band playing in this style, but they don't quite rise above the pack with this EP. The Morbid Angel cover is just ok - they've molded it into their style but it feels a bit rushed. It does fit right in with their original material, however. The singer sounds so much like the singer on early Bloodbath efforts that their version of "Like Fire" hews very close to the original. The do an impeccable job here, and the same goes with the Nihilist cover. I look forward to seeing what these gentlemen will do on their next full length effort. If the originals here are any indication, it could be very special.

Gore Animal "In the Name of Brutality" (Review)

Gore Animal In the Name of Brutality

2025 Pathologically Explicit Records (CD)

www.pathologicallyexplicitrecords.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the second full length from this Indonesian band. I always pay attention to new bands coming from Indonesia because they usually operate at peak brutality. This one, however, misses the mark a bit. The vocals are mid-range death growls that occasionally dip into guttural territory. The drums pound away like a more wacky version of Krisiun, all over the kit at all times, although the band does settle into a groove here and there in each song even if it isn't for long. I feel like the riffs are perhaps a bit underdeveloped for what this band is trying to do and it results in the songs blending together after a while. There's also a looseness in their playing that seems spastic, causing me to think maybe they're not as tight as they could be. This one is a pass for me, but your mileage may vary.

Ganglion "Humanity Refined" (Review)

Ganglion Humanity Refined

2025 Independent (Digital)

ganglionhtx.bandcamp.com

10/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

I've had a streak of great albums come over the "review desk" lately, and this is one of the best of the bunch, a perfect outing from this Houston band. They play a brutal almost Assuck-style death/grind with a heaping dose of intense Repulsion-like thrash over top of it all. This serves to absolutely multiply the intensity of the music, and it's like taking a freight train to the face. They shift from strength to strength on this record, never overusing anything in their arsenal, and leave me wanting more songs. The songs are played with frantic speed most of the time, and there are hooks galore, which is where they truly shine. These are memorable songs even at breakneck speed, short songs be damned, the snare drum hammering like a stuttering machine gun through it all. A label needs to step in and give this a proper physical release, I would love to have it in my collection. It's a great record, and the band should be proud. I'll be listening to this one over and over.

Gutshovel "Gutshovel" (Review)

Gutshovel Gutshovel

2025 Independent (Digital)

gutshovel.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first EP from this Pennsylvania band. It's not bad for a debut, testing the waters of death metal. They play 1990s style death metal with heaps of groove and decent songwriting. It boasts a clean, heavy, slick even, production with all instruments perfectly audible and well-engineered. As a first outing it's ok, but I'm not sold on the band yet. They songs are lacking a bit in intensity and power, which is mainly down to the riffs being a bit simple and underdeveloped. I'll wait and see if this band releases more to see if there's an improvement - the bones are good, but the meat needs worked on. They do have a great name and logo, that's for sure!

Pustulant Flesh "Gurgling Pustulence" (Review)

Pustulant Flesh Gurgling Pustulence

2025 Extremely Rotten Productions (CD/LP/CS)

extremelyrottenprod.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Pustulant Flesh hails from Denmark, and this is their second EP, but is actually closer to a full length in track count. This is 1990s styled brutality, but it has some quite unique riffing throughout. Over the buzzsaw guitars hang the guttural vocals, amplified by the heavy production. There's almost a rock 'n roll feel to some of the riffs and arrangements in a few of the songs, but it's a fleeting thing, with every song descending back into brutality fairly quickly. The end of the song "March of the Ravenous Dead" illustrates this perfectly. Each song is quite distinct and full of powerful riffs. This is unique and interesting death metal that fulfills all the requirements of genre, but also pushes a few of those so-called boundaries. Very good stuff.

Trog "Horrors Beyond" (Review)

Trog Horrors Beyond

2024 Frozen Screams Imprint (CS)

trogdeathmetal.bandcamp.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Why a bigger label hasn't snapped this record up, I cannot guess. It's completely worthy of a wider release. This is solid 1990s style death metal played with skill and conviction, with a few tricks up the sleeve. The vocals remind me a bit of Mikael from the original Bloodbath lineup - and in fact, this album itself reminds me of an Americanized Bloodbath. The production is perfect, and all the instruments are audible and engineered well. The solos are fantastic when they appear, and are always a perfect length, and I would expect the band may lean into more of these in the future - it's a strength. This is very easy to listen to for some reason, probably the smooth production I mentioned. There is one surprise on the album, and it's the melodic section of "Ontological Shock." There are guitar harmonies and keys, and they're very well done, and keep with the morbid atmosphere of the record. They quickly get back to pounding us, however. This is a hidden gem of a record, and well worth your time seeking it out.

MRSA "Horrifier" (Review)

MRSA Horrifier

2025 CDN Records (CD)

cdnrecords.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

After a spate of EPs and singles dating back to 2019, we finally have a full length from Florida's MRSA. They play horror-obsessed death metal, heavy and full of hooks, with good songwriting and memorable song structures. The music is a mixture of modern brutal death metal and good old classic Floridian death. The guitars are big and chunky in the mix, led by a heavy-sounding production that favors them. The vocals are perfectly engineered and the singer has a powerful, deep growl. This band would have been right at home with the old Razorback Records lineup alongside bands like Ghoul, Frightmare, and Engorged. Lyrically, they feature material exclusively about horror movies, and focus on the classics of our time. I picked up on songs about Re-animator, Hatchet, Leprechaun, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Pumpkinhead, Child's Play and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Overall, this is competent death metal that is an enjoyable listen, and worth seeking out if you want more horror in your music.

Gutless "High Impact Violence" (Review)

Gutless High Impact Violence

2024 Dark Descent Records (CD) / Me Saco Un Ojo (CS/LP)

darkdescentrecords.com

mesacounojo.com

10/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Albums like this are why I'm still reviewing after all these years (I started in the early 2000s). This Australian band has delivered a nuclear bomb of an album, and it should escape no serious deathmaniac's ears. It's a perfect record, and leaves me wanting more. Hailing from Australia, this is the first full length from this squadron after a demo, a split, and a live record. I was excited to see a former Sewercide member in their ranks, I like that band quite a bit. Gutless play heavy as fuck, groove-oriented death metal, 90s style, with absolutely vicious riffs and great songs stuffed full of brutality and intensity. The badassery never stops, with pit-inducing riffs, neck-snapping rhythms, and songs that stick in your head almost instantly. They're extremely tight, and nowhere is this more apparent than when they blast, the guitars and drums sticking together like glue. The cover of the record evokes the albums of the past mightily, and for some reason reminds me of Garbage Pail Kids art, probably due to the vivid (lurid?) colors. I went to the Dark Descent site immediately to see if it was still in stock and I snagged myself a copy of the cassette (along with a cassette copy of the newest Malformed and Devil's Force by Nifelheim), and I plan to blast my eardrums until they're dead once it arrives. This is not an album to sleep on - go get it, steal it, kill for it. You have to hear it. This should, if justice is served, be hailed as a classic in the years to come. It's every bit the brick to the face the album art depicts.

Vomitile "Faces of Terror" (Review)

Vomitile Faces of Terror

2025 Independent (Digital)

vomitile.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Here we have some wicked death metal-leaning death/thrash from Cyprus, and of course with a band name like that, it gets covered in Ominous Vomit! I'm always drawn to bands that also use the word vomit in their name since this fanzine does as well. This EP follows up Vomitile's third full length back in 2018 - this is smart, to get back in front of the metal scene with a digital EP of decent length after so much time away. It can always be released physically later. There is plenty of Slayer influence here with bouncy thrash riffs, and they even cover "Dead Skin Mask" at the end of the record. It really fits right in with the rest of their tracks. Each song is distinct with memorable and meaningful riffs. The vocals remind me a lot of Nergal of Behemoth, with powerful, chesty growls. The guitars are very, very crunchy and clear. I would have liked to hear some blastbeats at appropriate junctions, but that's nitpicking, since the music is fine the way it is. I just think it would have added intensity. Overall, not a bad effort at all, and definitely worth a listen.

Putrid Requiem "Engulfed in Rot... You Lay" (Review)

Putrid Requiem Engulfed in Rot... You Lay

2025 Spiritual Warfare Productions (CS)

putridrequiem.bandcamp.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Heavy 1990s style death metal from Russia with big riffs and a crushing heaviness is what we have here. The production is open and spacious-sounding, creating room for all the instruments to shine. The vocals are super-low and guttural that remind me a little of Rottrevore and Mortician. This is sick, true death metal the way it was supposed to be played - morbidly. There seems to be some Autopsy influence (although I like this band more than I do Autopsy by far), and perhaps a little early Carcass and Entombed (or even Nihilist) in the riffing. Every song is unique and easily distinguishable, and that's a real victory for the band. The fourth song out of the five tracks on offer here (there are four songs and an intro) is even a cover of a Mortician song, "Cremated," which happens to be one of my favorites, and they do a great job with it. This is real death metal for real deathmaniacs, and if you can't find the tape, you can support the band digitally. It's worth it. 

Beyond Chaos "As Kingdoms Burn" (Review)

Beyond Chaos As Kingdoms Burn

2025 Independent (Digital)

beyondchaos.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is one prolific band. This marks the seventh full length since its inception in 2019. It's a one-man project, so I assume that has helped it along to be so active. I'm not familiar with the band's other works, but I stumbled onto this album on the internet, and I'm glad I did. This Brazilian band seems to claim some Krisiun influence, perhaps some Hate Eternal as well, and definitely some Nordic black metal DNA, particularly Dissection and their haunting melodies. The drums are programmed but flawlessly so, and the rest of the instruments are also similarly professionally executed. I love the use of incredibly fast double bass in a lot of these songs - it's really well done and always at the best possible times in the song. The album manages to be melodic and include some keys without sounding weak, like on the epic track "Master's Voice," or the beginning of "Plagueborn," with almost Bathory-style choir effects. The melodies themselves are excellent, and the skill of the guitars is on display at every turn. This is a mighty death metal record with heavy metal sensibilities, and it is worth tracking down.

Death Yell "Demons of Lust" (Review)

Death Yell Demons of Lust

2025 Hells Headbangers Records

www.hellsheadbangers.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Big things were expected when Death Yell announced their comeback some years ago, and signing with the mighty Hells Headbangers solidified, in my mind at least, that it was going to be a good record, since that label seems to cater exactly to my tastes most of the time. It was a good record. So when a second record was announced, I was eager to hear it, of course. Death Yell's style hasn't changed much, if at all, since the infamous demo days, and the metal world is thankful for that. It's still just as extreme and vicious, as heavy and fast, and as well written and well played as the last record. The vocals are still raw and throaty in the mid-ranges, the instruments clean and well-recorded. Hooks abound in these songs and the listener can tell the band has really focused on craft here - these are memorable songs. Anyone whose taste runs to extreme thrash, black metal, or death metal would do well to pick it up and give it a listen. It should satisfy on all those vectors. I know I'll be obtaining a copy for myself before long. I'm glad a band like this has returned to give us those albums they couldn't in the late 80s and early 90s, it's been worth the wait.

Bodybag "As It Ferments" (Review)

Bodybag As It Ferments

2025 Independent (Digital)

bodybagbtn.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first full length for these youngsters out of the UK. They're playing the currently popular mashup of '90s death metal and hardcore, and they do it well enough. There's not too much here that jumps out and pounds my attention into submission, however. I do like that this style is popular, as it reminds me of the 1990s brutal death metal out of the Midwest. It's a style worthy of resurrection. The hardcore elements are a bit more pronounced with this band, in the vocals and in the breakdowns especially. They're just not doing enough for me to be memorable, but they're very ok. I will, however, be interested in hearing what they come up with next assuming they remain a band. There is promise here, just nothing very interesting on this record.

Ribspreader "As Gods Devour" (Review)

Ribspreader As Gods Devour

2025 Xtreem Music (CD)

shop.xtreemmusic.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the eleventh full length from this Swedish institution, putting them in the same category as their brethren Grave, Entombed, or Dismember as far as the amount of albums they've released. When they started, not many were still playing the Swedish death metal of old, and it was a fresh sound again. Now, bands that sound like them abound in every obscure corner of the scene, since it's quite easy to hook up an HM-2. That begs the question - does this album rise above the other acts performing in this style? No. The recent efforts from bands like Venomous Breath and Tombseeker are better, with more riffs and intensity. They have Ribspreader on their heels, quite honestly. This is an ok record, but that's all it is - just ok. It doesn't capture my death metal bloodlust at all and just goes through the motions, albeit it slightly better than most that play this style. It's a perfectly serviceable record, but I'm not certain it rises to the standard that it should coming from this band. That said, there are a few excellent riffs hidden on this record, if you're willing to dig, just not enough to separate this from the pack of imitators to the Swedish throne.

Occulsed "Antegnosis" (Review)

Occulsed Antegnosis

2025 Everlasting Spew Records (CD/CS)

www.everlastingspew.com

4/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Heavy, thick guitars over natural sounding drums and cavernous vocals meet your ears upon pressing play. I hear hints of Morbid Angel and perhaps some Deicide and Asphyx in their attack, but vocally Incantation is the clearest influence. These gents are accomplished musicians, being in about nine million other bands (seriously, go to Metal Archives and look, it's crazy). However, this does not save them from having just a very ok album on their hands. Too many of the songs rely on similar riffs, leading to a record that just bleeds together, and only the atmosphere they create remains. It's honestly like listening to one long song. And something weird happens when they slow down, at least in the first part of the record - strange time signatures. I'm not sure if this is intentional, a product of the recording, or just not being tight when playing slow, but I'm leaning toward intentional since not only are these guys in a bunch of bands, but this is not their first full length with Occulsed. The drums are more or less tight during the speedier parts of the album, so I'm just going to go with they made some strange choices recording the slow parts. The drums can be a bit loose in the fills, too, reminding me of old Possessed in that regard. It's not a hard pass, but it's a pass for me on this record, since all these things together lead to it being a bit of a chore to listen to.

Menk "Deceitful Purgatory" (Review)

Menk Deceitful Purgatory

2025 Independent (CS)

menk15.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

From sunny California, USA, we have some punked-up deathgrind on offer here. It's a furious mix of death, grind, and crust. The vocals are throaty, deep, and punk-edged, and remind me quite a bit of early Benediction. The pedal stays to the metal for the entire record, and d-beats abound. Menk delivers plenty of hooks in their songs, and they have clearly defined verses and choruses for that extra bit of oomph that makes them memorable. They have a spacious sound, yet are as tight as can be. There's no slop here like with a lot of punk-influenced metal. "Ape Grind" may be my favorite track with its stop-start blastbeats and great hooks. "Deceitful Purgatory" is another favorite with its more death metal-based composition combined with that same punk energy that infuses the rest of the record. This is simpler music that screams into the sky with songs that are actually about something, and I'll be trying to hear more from this band soon.

Venomous Breath "Abysm" (Review)

Venomous Breath Abysm

2025 Excarnation Records

venomousbreath.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the third full length from this Brazilian band. It's heavy HM-2 death metal with vocals in the higher registers, snarled in an almost black metal style, rather than the typical growls, and it really sets them apart. It reminds me of Necrophobic crossed with early Entombed and with the look of Repugnant. This band has a distinct almost black metal feel, a "soul," if you will, and it lies in the atmosphere they create with their music, not the music itself which is unabashedly death metal of a high order. The guitar solos also help this band to stand out, and the solos are indeed good. I like that some bands playing this old Swedish style are doing different things and branching out, adopting some unique ingredients. It really does help the ear fatigue. As for standout tracks, "Deathfire" is a real ripper, with its fast speed and thrashing riffs, instantly memorable as soon as it's heard. I enjoyed the record a lot, and I was impressed overall. I'll be watching to see if any physical copies turn up in the distros I buy from.

Pithy "Agonizing Plexus" (Review)

Pithy Agonizing Plexus

2025 Wasted Existence Records (CD)

pithy.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first full length from this UK-based deathmachine. They're heavy, brutal, and technical with enough chugging riffs to keep my attention in the midst of all the overwhelming technicality. The vocals alternate between several styles of gutturals, as well as other more standard growls, and the singer swaps these out flawlessly during his performance. Sometimes he switches it up in the same verse, and he's talented and unique-sounding. There's plenty of grind influence in this as well, and you can really hear it in songs like "Fascia." Many of the more technical riffs swirl in your ears in what's almost like a circular motion (yes, I ascribe things like this to sounds I hear sometimes, I think in shapes at times), and are almost tornado-like in their attack. It's a devastating mixture of hellish instrumentation. I recommend this for deathmaniacs and tech-heads alike, it's just that good. 

Violent Testimony "Aggravate" (Review)

Violent Testimony Aggravate

2025 Horror Pain Gore Death Productions (CD)

horrorpaingoredeath.com

10/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first length from this Wyoming grindsquadron. They play a catchy mixture of death, thrash, and black metal on a grindcore chassis and it's absolutely wonderful. They remind me slightly of Rotten Sound, if only for their song structures. This is vicious stuff, violence in musical form, here to take your worthless fuckin' head. This is very original material, also - other than the Rotten Sound comparison I made, it's unique and I can't think of anyone they truly sound like. The consistent power of the blast beats brings to mind classic records like Panzer Division Marduk. They have the same rabid energy and quality of composition that it takes to make a great record with this much blasting. This one just grabs hold of you and won't let go at all, drowning you in the turbulent atmosphere. It's equal parts piss, vinegar, and violence! Their vocalist is a formidable force, belting out his lines with power and conviction. They also know how to slow it down and bring the heavy like on "Left to Rot," among other tracks, to give us a break from the grind for a few seconds. This is a perfect record and I am now a fan, and I can't recommend this highly enough. Mandatory purchase - don't let this one get by you!