Cavernum "Cannibal Feast of Gore" (Review)

Cavernum Cannibal Feast of Gore

2025 CDN Records (CD)

cdnrecords.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

BADASS SONG TITLES: Mangled in the Cavern, Carnage in the Dark

Here we have some literal caveman death metal from this Argentinian crew. Many, if not all, the tracks are about violent cannibal caveman shit in some form. The music itself is barbaric, too, simple death metal that focuses on stomping beats and pounding rhythms. The vocalist puts in a wild performance of half-growled, half-yelled vocals that really hammer home the caveman theme, and remind me a little of Unleashed. In fact, the music itself isn't unlike early Unleashed, with the same simpler riffing and focus on good songwriting. I'm sure all the cannibal movies of the 1970s had an influence on this, just due to the cover art alone, and that's awesome. I love those flicks. But this stands on its own as a good death metal record, and it's one that should definitely find an audience.

Sepulchral "Beneath the Shroud" (Review)

Sepulchral Beneath the Shroud

2025 Soulseller Records (CD/LP)

soulsellerrecords.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

BADASS SONG TITLES: A Pact Written in Bone Dust, Conflagration of Sacred Bones, From the Crypt the Putrid Mist, Poison Wind

This is the Spanish Sepulchral, one of the most successful bands to use the name. It's simpler, straightforward death metal that reminds me a little of Autopsy, but remains fairly original. The vocals remind me of Hypocrisy's on Osculum Obscenum, with that same open-throated growl style. There's a very punk feel to the record with its driving beats and simpler riffs. This is almost Swedish style death metal but without the HM-2 sound, which serves to set the band apart from the hundreds of other bands playing the style. Overall this is nothing new, but it is a clear example of a band doing extremely well with an old formula with a few different approaches to the music.

Hellstorm Apocalypse "Hellstorm Apocalypse" (Review)

Hellstorm Apocalypse Hellstorm Apocalypse

2025 Sphere of Apparition Records (CD)

sphereofapparitionrecords.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

BADASS SONG TITLES: Nocturnal Deviltry, Hellstorm Apocalypse

From Adelaide, South Australia comes this two-man project of bulldozer Satanic death metal! This is death metal that crushes anything in its path and has that Australian edge to it, a distinct heavy metal side that results in great songwriting. I love discovering new bands from Australia since I more often than not enjoy them, especially ones riding the underground-most edges of death metal. We get four original compositions and a cover of Armoured Angel, which is so perfectly done that it fits right into the rest of their songs. One of the unique things about this record is the synths - they're a really nice touch, and at times the other instruments give them room to breathe like in the song "Nocturnal Deviltry," where the synths appear mostly over the (very fast and tight) blast beats. They really do add atmosphere and dynamics to the songs, and a lot of depth is added in that particular song due to where they appear. It's very tasteful. The guitar solos are also incredible, adding that heavy metal edge I was talking about earlier, and really helping each song become memorable. They soar over the music whenever they appear, giving it an epic feel. I highly recommend this record for all devotees of underground death metal and black metal, it will not disappoint.

Misanthropic "Festering Nihilistic Hatred" (Review)

Misanthropic Festering Nihilistic Hatred

2025 Independent (Digital)

misanthropicdeathmetal.bandcamp.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first full length from this American band from Arizona, which follows up some EPs and singles. We get a spooky synth intro followed by 1990s style death metal that slowly works its way toward crescendo during the first proper song. I hear perhaps some Massacre and Deicide influence and this is very much in the Florida style. Big, chunky riffs abound, crushing your neck vertebrae with their power. The guitar tone is crunchy with a bit of fuzz, just like my favorite classic records. The vocals are standard death growls, and the singer is wild, not understandable at all. He has a strange technique. But that's ok, it actually sets them apart a bit in a crowded scene. He reminds me of some crust punk singers, actually. Overall, this is a truly strong effort, and one that I hope a label finds and puts out far and wide, because the band deserves it. Until then, get thee to Bandcamp and fucking get it if you don't mind digital.

Apparition "Fear the Apparition" (Review)

Apparition Fear the Apparition

2024 FDA Records (CD/LP)

fda-records.com

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is not the American Apparition, but the Spanish one. This is their first full length, which was originally issued as CD and CS on the venerable Headsplit Records, but was then picked up by FDA Records. They share members with Ataraxy and Bloodsoaked Necrovoid. This is thrashing death metal hell that shares some similarities with early Death, Massacre, and even Nocturnal Graves and Destroyer 666, during the faster bits anyway. There's lots of mid-paced chug amidst the thrashier bits, like proper death metal ought to have. This is real underground death metal for real underground death metal maniacs. They've set themselves apart from the glut of the death metal renaissance with this album by sticking to a tried-and-true formula, and it's a wonderful result. The only way it could be any better is if we got a few more songs, but I'll eagerly await their next record if I must!

Putrid Impetus "Fatal Necrotic Ecstasy" (Review)

Putrid Impetus Fatal Necrotic Ecstasy

2025 Rotten Foetus Productions (CD)

putridimpetus.bandcamp.com

4/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first and only release of this Brazilian death metal band. It's gore-obsessed brutal death metal that we've unfortunately heard a million times and often better than this. The production is strong, but typical of a lot of death metal bands. The music itself isn't overly technical or slam-oriented, it's true brutal death, thankfully, but there's very little that makes this stand out at all. Such is life when the market is this glutted with bands.

Cercenatory "Goresphere" (Review)

Cercenatory Goresphere

2025 Comatose Music (CD)

www.comatosemusic.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Cercenatory hails from Colombia and this is their second full length. A lot of Colombian bands are defined by their chaotic approach, and this band is no exception. They do settle in to heavy-ass grooves, though, and they avoid most of the typical bullshit that brutal death metal bands are currently guilty of perpetrating, like piq squeals and slam riffs that never change. Most Comatose bands do avoid all those, it's a label with tastes in brutal death much like my own. The vocals run the guttural spectrum otherwise, from deep roars to gurgling. They're treated almost like another instrument, with no real patterns, but rather a sonic palette. There's some real technicality in the music here, too, especially in the drums. He plays all over the kit all throughout the record, only laying in the pocket during those breakdowns I mentioned. The songs take some close listening to really absorb, as is the case with all good brutal death metal since the style is so claustrophobic, and they begin to become distinct with a little attention. It's a good outing, and one the band can be proud of for years to come.

Flesher "Gore on Gore" (Review)

Flesher Gore on Gore

2025 Maggot Stomp Records (CD/CS)

maggotstomp.bandcamp.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Some of Maggot Stomps acts are a miss for me since so many of them are hardcore-leaning, but this one is a hit. From Indianapolis, this is Flesher's first EP on the tail of their 2023 full length for Redefining Darkness. It's groove-oriented death metal, 1990s style, that dwells in the land of mid-paced headbanging riffs. These are strong, hook-filled songs with monster riffs and deep growled vocals with top notch vocal patterns that stick in your head. The singer is also quite understandable, which is not easy to do (I know from experience!). His diction is good. This record is every bit as memorable as my favorites from the 90s, and I hope to see more of the same on their next release.

Madara "Gorephiliac" (Review)

Madara Gorephiliac

2024 Iron Fortress Records (CS)

ironfortressrecords.com

7/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the second EP from this Quebecois death squad. Iron Fortress just does it over and over - they show me their taste in death metal is damn close to mine. This is 1990s style death metal with a little Carcass influence and possibly some Gorguts influence in the riffing. The vocals are deep and guttural and wet sounding, and absolutely perfect performance of totally inhuman nature. A full blown morbid-as-fuck solo happens in the middle of the second track, "Fetid Fume from the Rotting Carcass," and it's very well done. The name of that song is badass, by the way. There's a distinct grindcore influence at work here in the midst of the death metal, with tight blasts and dissonant, short riffs rearing their ugly heads. The third track is a morbid synth piece and it breaks up the EP perfectly with its lurid sonic imagery. This is a must-buy for me, and it will be in my collection soon - I highly recommend it for all the true deathmaniacs.

Shrieking Demons "The Festering Dwellers" (Review)

Shrieking Demons The Festering Dwellers

2025 Transcending Obscurity Records (CD)

tometal.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Ah, Italy. It used to be the land of power and progressive metal. Maybe it still is. Here, however, is some 90s style death metal for your ass. This is their first full length, and it's not bad. It does nothing badly, but it's not making me sit up and listen attentively, either. They do have amazing guitar solos, however, good enough that one the first one hit I immediately made a note of it. I just wish their riffs were as good as the solos. The riffs them selves are a tad boring and same-sounding. Let me reiterate, though, that there's nothing wrong with this album. It's perfectly ok death metal, but it's just ok. Other than the solos there's nothing at all that grabs me and makes me pay attention. Cool fucking cover and logo, though, I'll give them that!

Impurity "The Eternal Sleep" (Review)

Impurity The Eternal Sleep

2025 Hammerheart Records (CD/LP)

hammerheart.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is the first full length from this Swedish crew - imagine that, Swedish style death metal being played by actual Swedes! This is a decidedly brutal HM-2 worshipping horde with a heavy production as well as impeccable playing and good songwriting. It's definitely at the top of the heap for this oversaturated style, but it doesn't do much to set itself apart. It's just a very ok album in a flooded market. They do tend to use more melody like Edge of Sanity, and that's nice to hear, while remaining very heavy. Fans of this style will like this record but it's by no means a must hear. That said there are some killer riffs on this album like the main riffs of "Ancient Remains," which is a real hairwhipper. But like I said, nothing truly earth-shattering here. 

Tombcrusher "The Eyes of the Abyss" (Review)

Tombcrusher The Eyes of the Abyss

2025 Independent (Digital)

tombcrusher.bandcamp.com

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This is this Russian band's first EP. They play a pretty bog-standard death/thrash that's very heavy on the thrash side of the equation. It's not a bad outing for a first EP although this is something we've heard hundreds of times before from other bands. There are a few quality riffs here and there and some decent hooks as well, but they're not really offering anything to set themselves apart yet. The production is clear but very noisy, and it seems the levels are maxed out on everything. Ear fatigue sets in rather quickly. This feels just like regular thrash with death metal vocals, and it needs something more if it's going to rise above the rest of the acts playing this style. They have such a killer band name, though, that I wish them success just based on that. It truly is an awesome name.

Altar of Gore "Litanies of the Unceasing Agonies" (Review)

Altar of Gore Altar of the Unceasing Agonies

2024 Nameless Grave Records (CD/LP)

namelessgraverecords.com

6/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This death metal band from New Jersey gives us their second full length, this time with Nameless Grave Records. They play a downtuned, barbaric version of death metal that reminds me of a cross of Demolition and Catalepsy from the Heralds of Oblivion compilation. There seems to also be more than a bit of Blasphemy influence here, with blower riffs and long scrapes on the guitar strings being prominent, as well as a trancelike repetition that the band maintains with almost all riffs, dragging them along for all they're worth. I can also hear some early Carcass influence in the guitars, with the diving whammy bar accents scattered over the record. This album sports a rugged production, yet somehow all instruments are still audible. This is obviously purposely done to create more of an underground feel, and it succeeds. Simpler riffs and uncomplicated drum patterns work well for this band, allowing them to revel in the filth of each song. If you want dirty death metal that praises the underground styles of old, this is where you want to spend your money.

Deceased "March of the Cadavers: 40 Years of Death Metal from the Grave" (Review)

Deceased March of the Cadavers: 40 Years of Death Metal from the Grave

2025 Hells Headbangers (CD)

hellsheadbangers.com

8/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

This release stands as a monument to one of the most important death metal bands of all time. It's a great collection of Deceased's best works over two discs, visiting upon all eras of the band. Every record and lineup is represented here. There's also re-recorded versions of "March of the Cadavers" and "Sick Thrash," from their first demo. This best-of charts the path from Deceased being one of the earliest pure death metal bands to the death metal-influenced heavy metal they now play. It's shown as a seamless transition, and it is a great way to sample all their works in one place. I'm a fan of all their material, but the modern version of the band may be my favorite. My tastes have grown (or regressed) right along with their progression as a band in many ways. I still think of them as purely a death metal act, albeit one that plays this form of music much differently than the average band, and it sets them apart. No one sounds like Deceased, in the past, or now. If you're unlucky enough (you don't have that Luck of the Corpse) to have never heard them, or are a younger metalist, definitely start here, and start at the beginning of the first disc. You'll hear a tale of horror that you don't want to miss.

Resurge "Resurge from Underneath" (Review)

Resurge Resurge from Underneath

2024 Miasma Records (CD)

miasmarecords.com

9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

These Portuguese badasses have dropped their first full length after an EP and some singles, and it's a massive one. It reminds me a lot of Asphyx, perhaps mixed with Massacre for the down-picked thrashing riffs, the music being a solid mashup of these two influences as well as some mid-period Death influence. It all makes for a vicious soup of brutal riffing and satisfying death growls. Resurge are masters of the grooved-up violent riff, in the same way that Obituary used to be. The guitar tone is bone-crushing, full of crispness and thickness. It's the perfect death metal guitar tone. When they storm into a breakdown, when the song has one, it's always powerful and heavy. The riffs never stop coming, and are masterfully crafted into songs with a ton of hooks. The drums are clean-sounding, with almost a wet sound to them. The snare snaps perfectly and doesn't overpower anything. The production makes this album particularly easy to listen to - nothing is too loud or overbearing. It's smooth. This is a damn near perfect outing, and I'm going to be picking this one up in physical format for sure.