Let these Dutch Progressive and Technical Death Metal purveyors lead you to places unknown to the sound of their scorching new album.
Formed in early 2024 in the always stunning Amsterdam, Dutch Progressive and Technical Death Metal purveyors Mystical Death are ready to unveil their second release, their first full-length album, the staggering Across, following up on their 2024 debut EP Carnation. With all the music being written, performed, mixed and mastered by the band’s central figure, multi-instrumentalist Mystic, who also created the album’s cover artwork and wrote the lyrics to every song, and featuring vocalists David Diefenderfer and Vixi Fox, Across is an album that never releases its hold on its Death Metal roots and yet manages to push the boundaries of the genre, sculpting its essence into quite beautifully bewildering new forms.
Apophenia already kicks off in full force to the infernal riffs and beats by Mystic while David growls and screams in the name of Technical Death Metal, followed by Laniakea, another feast of technical yet scorching sounds by the trio where Mystic is once again ruthless armed with his guitars and bass, not to mention the saxophone brings sheer adrenaline to the overall result. The wall of sounds crafted by Mystic in Inundant is perfect for the harsh vociferations by David, flowing into the breathtaking Lacerate, where Mystic goes berserk with his visceral riffage and crushing beats, resulting in one of the strongest songs of the album hands down. And a jazz-infused intro morphs into another metallic attack titled Empathy, where the guitars by Mystic breathe fire and insanity.
Kurtosi continues to spread the project’s blend of intricacy and progressiveness, with its haunting passages adding an extra kick to the music; whereas Across presents a perfect fusion of heaviness and melodious sounds, with the clean vocals by Vixi Fox clashing beautifully with the screams by David. Then Thalassa brings to our avid ears a darker, more menacing side of the project, with Vixi Fox again stealing the spotlight with her mesmerizing vocals, followed by Voyagers, a good display of Technical Death Metal that sounds interesting even without the vocal parts. And lastly, Sanctus feels more like a movie score than part of the album, working as an outro to the technical savagery blasted in all other songs.
In summary, fans of bands the likes of Pestilence, Cynic, Atheist and Gorguts will certainly have a very good time listening to all tracks from Across, and if you want to put your dirty hands on such an electrifying album you can purchase it from their own BandCamp, as well as from Rottweiler Records’ BandCamp or webstore. Don’t forget to also check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and stream their music on Spotify and Apple Music. As Across is unleashed upon humanity, step inside this riot of creativity and let Mystical Death lead you to places unknown.
Best moments of the album: Laniakea, Lacerate and Across.
Worst moments of the album: Sanctus.
Released in 2026 Rottweiler Records
Track listing
1. Apophenia 3:38
2. Laniakea 4:13
3. Inundant 3:21
4. Lacerate 2:38
5. Empathy 5:40
6. Kurtosi 3:52
7. Across 4:00
8. Thalassa 3:40
9. Voyagers 4:12
10. Sanctus 2:12
Band members
David Diefenderfer – harsh vocals
Vixi Fox – clean female vocals
Mystic – all instruments and programming
