Funebrarum--Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence (CD/LP) {2026 Pulverised Records}

pulverised.net

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

New Jersey's death metal masters have returned, this time in conspiracy with Pulverised Records, after ten years of silence since their last EP offering. All the hallmarks of their style remain - the sludgy downtuned guitars, the charnel vocals both low and high, and the top quality songwriting that focuses on dark atmosphere and ill intent. Of particular note on this outing are the excellent guitar solos. The band is constantly compared to other bands like Incantation, Disma, and Dead Congregation, which isn't wrong, but Funebrarum has their own stamp that they put on this dark death metal style, one of pure class. The thing they do that I enjoy most is when they break into a heavy-ass groove in their songs - it makes the darkened death metal more palatable and memorable to me. I'm a sucker for a good groove, especially when it breaks up dense music like this and gives us a catchy moment. This is top notch death metal with a true underground feel and a band you should immediately check out if you are unfamiliar with them.

Corpse Water--...Something in the Water (LP) {2026 Grindscene Records}

corpsewater.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Corpse Water from Northern Ireland plays competent death metal with easily digestible songwriting. The vocals are low growls that don't vary much in tone, but are very powerfully performed. The vocal patterns are decent, very rhythmic, which is a favorite approach of mine. The production is nice and clean and clear with all instruments including the bass being audible and prominent. All that being said, there's nothing that really sticks out about this band. It's just very ok death metal and nothing more. Some of the grooves catch my attention but not much else. It's easy on  the ears but also not terribly challenging material. It's a bit paint-by-numbers, with just a few shining moments. I can take it or leave it.