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.