Anasarca--Achlys (CD/CS) {2026 Selfmadegod Records}

www.selfmadegod.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Back from the grave yet again, Anasarca gives us their fifth full length, and the first one in nine years. I've been familiar with the band since the old days, and I find that they've gone on to perfect their style on this release, being a straightforward death metal record with plenty of musical chops and good songwriting, just as I remember their past releases. The blastbeats and double bass are stupendously fast, breathing life into riffs that might not otherwise stand out so much. There's a fair amount of melody that creeps into the guitar playing, and it's a welcome sound, serving to make their songs much more dynamic. The vocals are fiercely sung in a low growl with little variation but a lot of brutality and conviction, and his tone is quite smooth. The vocal patterns are memorable, as well. The record is quite easy to listen to, and it should be on your list of priorities to give it a listen.

Hypoxia "Defiance" (Review)

Hypoxia Defiance

2024 Selfmadegod Records

selfmadegod.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the third full length from this New York wrecking crew. It's straight up American death metal with a focus on technicality without being overly so, with solid songs and plenty of hooks. It reminds me a little of Monstrosity and Suffocation, a melding of the NY and FL styles. The bass sounds like DD Verni's on W.F.O., a solid, growling sound that is easily audible under the guitars, and the bassist is one monster of a player. The guitars and riffs are everything you'd expect from classic death metal from the '90s. I hear some nods to Morbid Angel in "Correlated Embolism," but nods are all it is, quickly returning to their own style. The singer has a powerful growl that comes from deep in his chest, and has a drawn-out lyrical delivery rather than rhythmic all the time. He has some good patterns, however. He also uses some higher-register growls for emphasis. Suffocation gets a nod on the track "Drowning in Darkness," in the blast style and breakdown riff. I bought this one shortly after it came out after hearing a track or two, and there's no such thing as buyer's remorse where Hypoxia is concerned. This band should not be passed over by the maniacs.