REVIEW: Bloodscrawl--Catatonic Rot (CS) (2026 Independent)

bloodscrawl.bandcamp.com

10/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Hailing from Spokane, WA is Bloodscrawl, a mighty fine example of 1990s-worshipping death metal that stylistically lands somewhere between old Cannibal Corpse, Death, Bolt Thrower, Autopsy, and Mortician. They're content to sit in a heavy-ass groove until a section of grind makes sense and serves to elevate the song. The songwriting is truly superb and the riffs are particularly pernicious in their catchiness. I've made it pretty clear in these pages about my warm and fuzzy feelings for the new bands playing in this venerable style, and I'm ecstatic about finding this particular band. Here's to hoping they continue to make music after this fine record, well into the future. One thing that truly helps this record is the natural, almost understated drum sound. Too often in death metal the drums are over-emphasized and they just sound noisy. Not here, not at all. Another thing I really found enjoyable was the mid-album '70s/'80s horror film-style musical interlude to break up the albums progression and to provide a rest for the ears. It's wonderfully executed and suitably Goblin-esque. I also hereby gift Bloodscrawl a "clever wordplay award" for the track they titled "The Bile Belt." Excellent work gents!

Review: Vilifier--Skullthrone (Digital) (2026 Independent)

vilifier.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Now, I know it says digital in the title line above, but there should be a physical release of this coming at some point. The promo for this release was sent to me on a hand numbered cassette, which reminded me wistfully of the old days of the scene. Until an official release is out, you can grab the digital version on Bandcamp. Vilifier deliver some seriously sickening metal of death on this EP, properly ancient sounding and filthy. The band makes a show of saying this was recorded "under abysmal conditions," but the sound isn't bad at all, just quite raw. I can still hear all the instruments well, and everything sounds like it should. It doesn't take away from the heaviness, no, it adds to the atmosphere! Gone are the days when recording quality could give a band a specific atmosphere, but hats off to those bands like Vilifier who remember this and do something about it. Stylistically there's plenty of war metal influence, but also 80s and 90s death metal and black metal. The riffs are simpler, the arrangements are catchy, and the axiom "only death is real" applies. I truly enjoyed this material, as I generally do with most of the scene in Australia! There's just something about bands from that country, a certain grittiness in the sound that truly satisfies my metal tapeworm. This is worth tracking down, get thy ass to Bandcamp now.

Morgarath--Onward to Extermination (CD) (2026 Independent)

morgarath-dt.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Morgarath from Poland play a delightfully rough and morbid mixture of black, death, and thrash metal, bringing to mind comparisons to Protector, Messiah, Necrodeath, Sarcofago, and early Sepultura. The production is raw yet all the instruments are quite audible and there's some real talent here. This is not a band using a raw production to hide any deficiencies in their playing. No, they can play. For some reason I really like the flat bass drum sound, it just sounds great to me along with the natural sound of the rest of the kit. The vocals are mixed a bit high compared to the other instruments, and they're a bit noisy, but you get used to it just like with the demos of old. This is excellent material overall and I highly recommend it to fans of the old South American scene in the late 1980s. It has the same feel to it, and it's quite a satisfying listen in a world of perfect productions and sterile atmospheres. Slick recording has made all metal sound the same, and it's a tragedy. It's nice to hear a raw production once in a while.

Miscreation--Miscreation (CD) (2026 Independent)

miscreation.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Miscreation hail from Germany and play straightforward death metal with quality. They focus on heaviness and groove over speed, and that is perfectly fine - they're at their best with mid-paced material, and their rhythm section clearly loves that slower speed because they can truly show off what they can do with that much space. The guitars often add a little melody to the madness in a way that reminds me of mid-period Hypocrisy, when they were slower and heavier. Vocally we get primarily deep, chesty growls, but they creep into mid-range when the song calls for it or to emphasize a vocal line. It's a powerful performance, and the vocals truly shine on the album, perfectly offset by the clear and heavy guitar tone. This is better than a great deal of the material coming out on labels these days, and you should at the very least pick this up digitally via their Bandcamp site, if not physically.

Brainbath--Headhunted (CD/LP/CS) (2026 Independent)

brainbathdm.bandcamp.com

10/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland comes Brainbath, who play death metal firmly grounded in 1990s sensibilities with catchy riffs and rhythmic vocals that reach out and strangle the attention out of you. There are some similarities to Deicide, Bolt Thrower, and Grave, all of which is perfectly fine by me, but this band is more than the sum of its influences. Their songwriting is original and enjoyable. They're not reinventing the goddamn wheel, they're playing damn good death metal. Period. In fact, they have that certain "something" I'm always looking for in death metal bands. It's the catchiness and metal attitude that hearkens back to the bands of old. I really like the use of reverb on the vocals in strategic spots, and the vocals themselves have an interesting unique tone to them, and a forcefulness that most vocalists cannot muster. This band has figured out that death metal vocals aren't an afterthought, but are quite important, as important as any other instrument on the record. I'll be listening to this album over and over, as it has absolutely everything in death metal that I'm hunting for, from speed to breakdowns to thrashing riffs, crushing vocals, and pounding drums, as well as the ever-important good songwriting. I'm settling for the digital edition since I don't trust the tariff situation in the USA yet for ordering from overseas, but if this were to show up in a distro I normally order from, I would be all over getting a physical copy!

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.

Infected Dead--Invicta (CD/LP) {2026 Independent}

infecteddead.bandcamp.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Infected Dead from England have given us a four-song EP that just burns the fuckin' house down every time you play it. This is the best sort of technical death metal, full of great riffs and, most importantly, good songs. There are just so many interesting things going on here that it's hard to decide what to write. First, let's start with the obvious, the guitars. These motherfuckers can play, and clearly have wizard levels of talent. There's lots of stop/start riffing, scales, and arpeggios. The riffing is endlessly inspired and inventive. The guitar solos are perfection, and ones you'll want to rewind to hear again. The same goes for the bass and drums as they lay the foundation for the rest. The vocals are quite rhythmic, following the lead of the guitars quite often, as the guitar work is also rhythmic. Most of the time the vocalist uses a mid-range growl but he's also capable of low roars and high screams, and uses them all liberally. I can't compare these fine gentlemen to any other band, they're that unique, but if you like death metal with some real shred, you'll want this.

Wormlord--Choices (Digital) {2026 Independent}

wormlord.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Wormlord, from Finland, play Swedish-style HM-2 death metal that's quite good, and they bring enough creative riffing to bear to keep from sounding like just more of the same. They remind me quite a bit of the early Bloodbath material, right down to production and vocal sound, even if the vocals are a bit higher in pitch. They put enough of themselves into this to keep it from becoming a "worship" band, however. The songwriting is excellent and memorable, and the hooks are catchy enough to do their job. Most of the songs have at least one completely crushing riff in them (aside from the weird acoustic song that is "Ivory Tower" - that came out of left field, feeling out of place on the album, and should have been last in the track listing). The song "Mania" is a standout favorite for me. The main riff of the song is pulverizing after the extended intro winds up the song. This is a rather inspired example of the Swedish death metal sound, and if you're an HM-2 junkie, this one's for you.

Scion of Darkness--Horns of the Apocalypse (Digital) {2026 Independent}

scionofdarkness.bandcamp.com

10/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This Austrian band brings us absolutely bestial death metal that's packed full of intensity and violence, especially when they perform a blast. The riffs are straight up bulldozers, tempered here and there with little runs, and occasionally backing down during verses to let the music breathe, only to dive right back into a blast at just the right time. There's a lot of thrash influence at work here during their "slower" moments, and it's where they show off their chops a little with interesting leads and little embellishments here and there. They're at their strongest when blasting, and I've not heard too many other bands do it this violently and with this much urgency. The drummer is a fuckin' beast. The vocals duel back and forth between high and low, the high vocals reminding me of Pete Helmkamp and the lows reminding me of Dallas Toller-Wade. This is a perfect record and I highly recommend this to all the true deathmaniacs out there reading this. This needs to get picked up by a label immediately for physical release.

Intrepid Onslaught--Cremated Christ (CS) {2026 Independent}

intrepidonslaught.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

We get three songs and a '70s horror-inspired synth intro from this new Oregon band on their first demo. It's nice to hear a demo that sounds like a demo should, with barebones recording but with all the instruments audible. There are too many pristine recordings these days, and it's nice to hear something dirty. The music reminds me a hell of a lot of older Autopsy, but with a Satanic bent to it rather than gore. It's mostly mid-tempo stuff, content to use simple riffs with repetition to form barbaric songs. Hellhammer comes to mind a little as a possible influence as well due to the simplicity of the songs. The vocals are a low growl that has a lot of throat sound to it, a real throwback vocal style that reminds me of early death metal. I think the first two songs are much too long for the riffs the band uses and they'd benefit from being shorter. The songs are all a bit same-sounding as well, and more diversity in the riffs would help a lot. Overall, not a bad effort, but nothing that floors me.

Razorbreath--El Lenguaje de la Muerte (Digital) {2026 Independent}

razorbreath.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first full length from this Mexican deathmachine, and they bring us some seriously heavy HM-2 death metal that worships the Swedish sound, but has some definite influences from metallic hardcore. The more hardcore-oriented riffs blend seamlessly with the death metal riffs, creating a truly dynamic style of songwriting that mixes and matches influences to get the heaviest result. They never lose that death metal feel, though, which is important. The vocals are mid-range to low growls that sort of remind me of a growlier version of Brujeria, but it might be the Spanish lyrics influencing me. I don't think I'm too off-base with that comparison, though. The production is thick, rich, and guitar-focused, which is great for bands with this guitar sound. Surprisingly, they have a bit of melody in their songs, and it's used sparingly and in strategic places. This is a fairly fresh take on an old and worn-out sound, definitely worth checking out if you're into the chainsaw death metal style.

Fleshsphere--Carnival of Flesh (CD) {2026 Independent}

fleshsphere.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the second full length from this German band. Occasionally they remind me of Vader when the singer goes into a yelled rather than growled passage. I can't really compare them to many other bands, but I do hear some Gorefest in their sound, circa False or Erase. The production is good, a nice-sounding modern death metal production that doesn't favor any instrument over the others. Fleshsphere focuses on groove over speed and have traditional verse-chorus songwriting in a lot of cases. When they do introduce a blast beat it's always violent and intense, and I'd like to see them do more of it, especially with the high vocal they layer underneath the low vocal when they have them over these sections. They have a flash of brilliance in "Imprisoner of Rage," introducing a morbid melody overtop of the main riff, a trick they should use more often. Overall, this is fairly average death metal, but it's enjoyable, and it's worth a listen.

Infected Cells--Betrayed by Obedience (CD) {2026 Independent}

infectedcellsmetal.bandcamp.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Infected Cells hail from Brazil, that most metal of South American countries, and this is their first full length, following up a series of EPs that span the rest of their discography. They play true death metal with a heavy and aggressive thrash influence, always remaining quite intense and angry-sounding. They're no strangers to a good solid groove, especially during a breakdown, and this is a band that can write a serious hook in the process. They also win the award for clever wordplay in a song title as well for the track "And the Reek Shall Inherit the Earth." They know exactly when to use a blastbeat for maximum impact and they're adept songwriters. The vocals are quite strong, with an expressive death growl that's dynamic and powerful. The singer is a beast! The guitar solos, when we get them, are quite good, adding to the songs rather than being a distraction. Overall, this is one to check out, my fellow deathmaniacs!

Cerecloth--Aberrant Phenomena (Digital) {2026 Independent}

cerecloth.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

I don't know if I've ever heard a death metal band from Costa Rica before. If I have, I have forgotten them. I'm glad I heard this one, and they deliver their debut EP via Bandcamp in digital format. We get five original songs and a cover of a band called Astriferous that I've never heard before. They play a dark style of death metal that reminds me a little of Immolation crossed with Incantation, perhaps with a little Dead Congregation thrown in for good measure. I normally bore of this dark style fairly quickly, but the drumming kept it rather interesting. The drums cut through the murk of the guitars and vocals with a crisp sound. The vocals are low roars, and impressive overall. It's a bestial performance with a lot of power behind it. They include a morbid instrumental track, "Ancestral Contamination," and it was a smart move, not only to give us a change of pace and a break from all the death metal, but to show us a different side of themselves. I like when a band does that from time to time if it's in a limited way like this. Overall, this isn't a record that floored me, but it does get the job done properly, and will definitely earn them fans.

Creeping Flesh--God's Acres Rife with Flesh Adorned (Digital) {2026 Independent}

creepingflesh.bandcamp.com

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Hailing from the once-fertile grounds of Gothenburg, Sweden, Creeping Flesh bring us Swedish-style death metal on their third record with a bit of a cleaner guitar sound, although the chainsaws are still running here. This time around they've chosen to release this independently, at least for now, via Bandcamp. The production is clean, crisp, powerful, and loud. Someone who knows how to record death metal clearly helmed the recording equipment on this release. Everything about this record is nearly perfect, and the playing is as fluid as newly spilled blood. I really liked the morose, droning melody in the third track, "Upon the Altar of Peace," a slower tune that helps the album breathe a bit and gives us something different. In fact, these little melodic motifs pop up throughout the record here and there, and they remind me in the best way of some of Edge of Sanity's melodies. I can also hear quite a bit of Bolt Thrower influence in this band, with that bulldozer groove they're known for, and perhaps some Hail of Bullets and Asphyx thrown in for good measure. Some of the songs get quite a bit more doomy than what I originally expected. The vocals are not just sung - they're spewed, and with full force. A masterful performance, indeed, one of total guttural glory. I couldn't give this a 10/10, since some of the slow parts bored me, but when this band kicks up into midtempo territory, they're unbeatable. Monster grooves and monster riffs abound.

Display of Decay--Desolate Dawn, Part 1 (Digital) {2026 Independent}

displayofdecay.bandcamp.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Canada's Display of Decay have returned with a five song EP of their patented brutal death metal, replete with catchy riffs and intense song structures. This is their first release in three years, and they've gone independent with it for now. There's plenty of technical playing here to sate the appetite of those who crave musicianship in death metal, but there's also plenty of brutality with powerful breakdowns and well-crafted riffs. I hear quite a bit of Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus in their sound, but they're delivering it in a way that's all their own. The guitar tone is crunchy and heavy as fuck, and it really delivers a punch in the face where needed. The production itself is clean and sounds like a proper modern death metal production without being too sterile and digital-sounding. The band also understands the importance of hooks and groove, of which there is plenty. The vocals run the gamut of growls, gutturals, and screams, and are quite diverse overall. It's quite the performance. If brutal death metal is what gets you wet, this is a record you should hear, and a band you should get to know. It's quite talented stuff.

Choke Me--A Violent Phenomenon (Digital) {2026 Independent}

chokeme.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Choke Me play fairly unique-sounding grindcore that occasionally veers off into hardcore of a violent persuasion, and crust influence rears its sludgy head here and there as well. Everything on this recording is pushed to the limit, to the point of distortion, with fuzz on the guitars, drums that thunder, cymbals that hiss harshly, and vocals right on the edge of noise. There's a surprising amount of melody for a grindcore band, which is when the crust shows through the most sharply, with riffs that remind me of a melodic death metal band at times. I don't believe I've ever heard a grind band combining these elements in quite this way and come out the other side with cohesive and at times catchy songs. Vocally, there are two primary styles - a raspy high vocal and a guttural low vocal. Occasionally a shouted or sung phrase peeks at us from behind the wall of noise as well. This is grind that's worth a listen or two. While it didn't floor me, its intensity and originality is definitely worth the time invested.

Hammerthrone--Hammerthrone (Digital) {2026 Independent}

hammerthronetx.bandcamp.com

10/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This band hails from Texas, and this is their first and only release so far. This is strong, nasty death metal that puts me in mind of slower old Bloodbath, but with a less pronounced Swedish style - they use a lot of mid-paced groove to split your skull instead. Every song has at least one absolute crusher of a riff that just bulldozes everything before it. The vocals are fucking strong, deep chesty growls that punish the listener for thinking they can withstand the assault. The guitars are dirty, but I can't decide if an HM-2 is involved here or not (I'm leaning on not). They're crushing, like everything else on the record, and they're crisp and crunchy as well as dirty. This band is definitely in the camp of the '90s death metal revival with their focus on heaviness and piledriving groove, and they're up there with the best of the new bands like 200 Stab Wounds. The production is fantastic, heavy as fuck. I want to see what this band can do with a full length if their first EP is this damn good.

The Scum--Dead Was the Sun (Digital) {2026 Independent}

thescum.bandcamp.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This Colombian band previously released these songs as part of a split, and I really wish more bands would do this - release EPs or compilations of their split material. It's a great idea to spread the songs far and wide, especially with the limited nature of releases today. The Scum plays fairly unique-sounding death metal that relies on simpler compositions and solid songwriting. I can hear some Entombed and Incantation in their sound, but only hints - like I said, they're pretty unique-sounding. The guitar solos are special, and spectacularly played. The vocals are especially wild, with a powerful growl using a lot of mouth distortion, and a double-layered recording technique that makes them sound more powerful. These five songs are definitely worth the price of admission, and it serves as a decent introduction to the band's sound. I just might dig into their back catalog.

Unpassing--Pyrophoria (Digital) {2025 Independent}

unpassing.bandcamp.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Unpassing play Demolition Hammer-style death thrash sandwiched by vicious and intense blasting death metal. There are some impressive guitar solos on this EP, and the riffs are memorable. The solos sort of remind me of later era Death material a bit, and the guitarists are fucking wizards. The vocals are a mostly understandable mid-range growl spat out with venom and disgust. The patterns are pretty good, too, rhythmic and punchy, emphasizing the nature of the riffs. When they kick into a blast, it's always intense and powerful, and they use them to great effect. The songwriting is infectious, full of hooks, and the songs worm their way into your brain like a drill. The thrash riffs are all aggressive as fuck and woven into the death metal passages seamlessly to create a cohesive whole. This is absolutely worth going to Bandcamp and downloading, as that is the only format that is available.