Album Review – Abraded / Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries (2025)

The newborn spawn by this American beast sees the band pushing deeper into filth, spewing slime-drenched Deathgrind, balancing frenetic blasting, grooves, grime, and putrefaction with unadulterated passion.

Formed in the festering underground of Cleveland, Ohio in 2018, the ruthless Death Metal/Grindcore entity Abraded delivers raw, repulsive Death Metal rooted in the old school traditions of the genre’s most grotesque pioneers. Drawing influence from legends like Napalm Death, Assück, Agathocles, Repulsion, Autopsy, and Carcass, the band is back in action with Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries, following up on their 2023 offering Unadulterated Perversions. Originally recorded in 2017, mixed by Patric Pariano at Aggressively Uninterested Studios, mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios, with additional drum programming by Black Art Audio, an infernal cover art by Mihály Zichy, and layout by Nestor Carrera, the new album by the band’s mastermind Patric Pariano on guitars and drums alongside vocalist Mark Gallon and bassist David Kirsch sees the band pushing deeper into filth, spewing slime-drenched Deathgrind, balancing frenetic blasting, grooves, grime, and putrefaction with unadulterated passion.

It’s pedal to the metal from the very first second in the demented Ethereal Emanations, with Mark’s gurgling, deranged vocals matching perfectly with the song’s violent vibe, and with Patric kicking some serious ass on drums. Their depraved, gory party goes on in full force in Menticide, perfect for slamming like a wild beast inside the pit, followed by Uroboric Incest, presenting hints of Progressive Death Metal added to its core essence, with their guitars, bass and drums hammering our cranial skulls mercilessly, not to mention all inhumane screeches and gnarls by Mark. And Collectivized Enmeshment is another song where Patric’s riffage will cut your skin deep, supported by David’s thunderous bass punches in a hurricane of first-class, no shenanigans Grindcore.

Compensatory Contrarianism is highly recommended for some vigorous headbanging while Abraded keep firing their trademark riffs and evil vociferations, keeping the album’s aura burning, whereas Theonemesis should sound absolutely amazing and devastating if played live. It’s Grindcore at its finest, with no filters, no fillers, only our good old savagery and hatred, and the band still has a lot of fuel to burn starting with Mass Formation Psychosis, a bludgeoning tune that lives up to the legacy of the style. Chthonic Caries, the second composition to “form” the name of the album, is a bit generic compared to all other songs; while the album ends with its most intricate and demonic tune of all, entitled Theodicy, where Patric distills his Grindcore riff-fueled venom until the very last second like a true beast.

Executed with a relentless DIY ethos that was undoubtable carried over from founding member Patric Pariano, Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries cements Abraded’s status as one of the most promising acts in the resurgence of the American Brutal Death Metal and Grindcore scene, and you can show your total support to such a vicious beast by following it on Instagram, by streaming its gory creations on Spotify, and of course by grabbing a copy of the album from the Redefining Darkness Records’ Bandcamp or webstore (in the United States or the EU / rest of the world), or by clicking HERE. Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries transpires gore, violence, insanity and heaviness just the way we like it in extreme music, and you better brace for impact as once Abraded’s music embraces your darkened soul, there’s no way out.

Best moments of the album: Ethereal Emanations, Theonemesis and Theodicy.

Worst moments of the album: Chthonic Caries.

Released in 2025 Redefining Darkness Records

Track listing
1. Ethereal Emanations 2:04
2. Menticide 2:49
3. Uroboric Incest 2:35
4. Collectivized Enmeshment 2:27
5. Compensatory Contrarianism 3:10
6. Theonemesis 2:43
7. Mass Formation Psychosis 2:48
8. Chthonic Caries 2:52
9. Theodicy 4:28

Band members
Mark Gallon – vocals
Patric Pariano – guitars, drums
David Kirsch – bass

Guest musicians
Evan Crouse – guitars (live)
Brad Moore – bass (live)
Jon Gonzalez – drums (live)

Album Review – NecroticGoreBeast / Brute EP (2025)

One of the heaviest, most violent bands in the history of Canadian metal is back with a devastating EP of shocking heft and horror.

One of the heaviest, most violent bands in the history of Canadian metal is back in action, armed with an EP of shocking heft and horror, even by their earthshaking standards. Hailing from both Montreal and Quebec City, the unrelenting Brutal Death Metal horde known as NecroticGoreBeast will crush you like an insect to the sound of Brute, the follow-up to their 2023 critically acclaimed full-length album Repugnant. Recorded by Christopher Rannou-Poulin at Equilibrium Studio, mixed and mastered by Miguel Tereso at Demigod Recordings, and displaying a gruesome artwork by Andreas Christanetoff of Armaada Art, the new EP by vocalist John Mayer, guitarist Michael Chamberland, bassist Alexandre Brochu, and drummer JP Bouchard is highly recommended for fans of Cannibal Corpse, Devourment, Internal Bleeding, and Skinless, presenting a bludgeoning, tormenting overdose of  creeping viciousness juxtaposed with rampant aggression throughout its five unrelenting tracks.

The cinematic intro Brute works as the opening scene for a slasher flick, setting the tone for the savagery that’s about to begin in Assault of Severed Genitalia, featuring guest vocals by the awesome she-wolf Chaney Crabb of Entheos, making an infernal, demented vocal duet with John while Michael, Alexandre and JP bring absolute violence and heaviness to our putrid ears. Then the visceral riffage by Michael keeps peeling our flesh mercilessly in Sensual Regurgitation, accompanied by the rumbling bass by Alexandre, followed by Maggot Filled Colonoscopy, a charming name for another slab of sheer brutality by the quartet with the inhumane gnarls by John sending shivers down our spines. Finally, JP hammers his drums manically in a lesson in Brutal Death Metal made in Canada entitled Knuckle Deep Convulsions, inviting us all to slam into the pit while also ending the EP on a high and utterly brutish note.

Your days in the light are numbered thanks to another bestial opus by NecroticGoreBeast, who have proved yet again why they are untouchable in the field of extreme brutality. Hence, if you want to be part of their feast of violence and gore, you can start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, staying up to date with their demolishing live dates, stream their sick creations on Spotify, and purchase a copy of Brute from BandCamp or by clicking HERE to order the CD version of the EP or their available merch, and as usual you can always click HERE for all things NecroticGoreBeast. Those beyond talented and vicious Canadian metallers are out for blood once again, and despite being just an EP, Brute will certainly help them in draining you empty.

Best moments of the album: Assault of Severed Genitalia and Knuckle Deep Convulsions.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Comatose Music

Track listing
1. Brute 0:56
2. Assault of Severed Genitalia 4:18
3. Sensual Regurgitation 3:01
4. Maggot Filled Colonoscopy 3:52
5. Knuckle Deep Convulsions 4:08

Band members
John Mayer – vocals
Michael Chamberland – guitar
Alexandre Brochu – bass
JP Bouchard – drums

Guest musician
Chaney Crabb – vocals on “Assault of Severed Genitalia”

Album Review – Cytolysis / Surge Of Cruelty (2025)

This one-man Technical and Brutal Death Metal machine is back with its ruthless sophomore opus, constructed from eleven sonic acts of torture.

Born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, but currently based in Boston, Massachusetts, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Darren Cesca, the demented drummer with Goratory, Eschaton and previously Deeds Of Flesh, has returned with Surge Of Cruelty, the second album from his unconscionably brutal solo project, Cytolysis, following up on his 2020 debut Portraits of Malevolence. Mixed and mastered by Darren Cesca himself, adorned in the hypnotically horrifying artwork of Vladimir Cebakov (Six Feet Under, 1914, DeadHead), and featuring brutal guest vocal performances from Mac Smith (Eschaton), Brian Forgue (Syphilic), Adam Mason (Goratory) and Flo Butcher (Tortured), Surge Of Cruelty is constructed from eleven sonic acts of torture, where twisted technicality and methodical precision collide with frenzied explosions of fury and unnerving alien atmospheres, offering exactly what we’re always looking for in high-quality Technical and Brutal Death Metal in the vein of Cannibal Corpse, Deeds Of Flesh, In Asymmetry, and Incinerate.

Darren wastes no time and ignite his demented metal attack in the form of Your Slow Demise, where his infernal gnarling matches perfectly with his killer blast beats; and featuring guest vocals by Mac Smith, Devout Sacrifice is a beyond demented creation where the sound of his riffs is truly piercing and austere, resulting in a lecture in violence and gore. Then in the title-track Surge of Cruelty our dauntless Darren keeps barking like a demented creature while also firing some of his most intricate and visceral riffage, and get ready to headbang until your neck breaks in half to the sound of Consenting Brood, with Darren’s metallic bass and pounding drums boosting his visceral growls in great fashion. After such an insane tune, guest Brian Forgue lends his demented gnarls to A Blood-Soaked Offering, leaning towards the most gruesome form of Brutal Death Metal.

The Stygian, atmospheric interlude Ritual Carnage will darken the skies before Darren comes ripping once again with Tribal Savagery, where his deep pig-like screeches will disturb your frail mind while he keeps blasting his drums in the name of extreme music. Then featuring guest vocals by Adam Mason, Tortured Flesh brings forward more of the inhumane fusion of Brutal Death Metal and classic Deathcore by Cytolysis, spiced up by some nicely inserted cryptic nuances; and of course with a guy like Flo Butcher as a guest vocalist the final result was going to be demolishing to say the least in Mark of the Demons, offering those downtempo breaks perfect for some brutal slamming. Darren doesn’t sound human with his deep guttural and unstoppable beats and fills in Innocence is Raped, offering an avalanche of first-class Brutal Death Metal, whereas the last song of the album, titled Hung from the Rafters, is just as insane and demented, with Darren hammering his guitars and bass until the very end.

Not only a seasoned musician who has already played with tons of amazing underground bands the likes of Eschaton, Goratory, Pillory, Serpent of Gnosis, Vile, In Asymmetry, Virulence, Hideous Deformity, Arsis, Blasphemer, Deeds of Flesh, Incinerate , Burn in Silence, Strappado, and Embers from Cremation, Darren has also studied Performance: Percussion at Berklee College of Music, and appeared as a guest drummer in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II, just to give you an idea of how talented he is, and how he crafted Surge of Cruelty to sound as catchy as razor wire through flesh, offering a blend of Technical and Brutal Death Metal of the highest order. You can find more information about him on Facebook, and put your dirty hands on Surge Of Cruelty via Comatose Music’s BandCamp or webstore, supporting such an amazing underground musician in his quest for extreme music.

Best moments of the album: Devout Sacrifice, A Blood-Soaked Offering and Innocence is Raped.

Worst moments of the album: Ritual Carnage.

Released in 2025 Comatose Music

Track listing
1. Your Slow Demise 4:29
2. Devout Sacrifice 4:29
3. Surge of Cruelty 4:32
4. Consenting Brood 3:19
5. A Blood-Soaked Offering 3:41
6. Ritual Carnage (Instrumental) 1:34
7. Tribal Savagery 3:40
8. Tortured Flesh 4:58
9. Mark of the Demons 5:07
10. Innocence is Raped 3:48
11. Hung from the Rafters 4:03

Band members
Darren Cesca – vocals, all instruments

Guest musician
Mac Smith – vocals on “Devout Sacrifice”
Brian Forgue – vocals on “A Blood-Soaked Offering”
Adam Mason – vocals on “Tortured Flesh”
Flo Butcher – vocals on “Mark of the Demons”

Album Review – Symphobia / Hideously Traumatic (2025)

This Indonesian three-headed beast will crush us like insignificant insects to the sound of their debut album, an imposing invocation of purposeful destruction.

Formed in 2024 in Pare, a town and district in the Kediri regency within the province of East Java, Indonesia, the ruthless, demented Brutal Death Metal three-headed beast Symphobia is ready to unleash hell armed with their debut opus, entitled Hideously Traumatic. Featuring a coalition of members from Demented Heart, Perveration, and Orbital Element, those being Jossi Bima on vocals, Dodik Bhre on the guitar, and Humam Aliy on drums, Symphobia will crush us like insignificant insects to the sound of their new album, an imposing invocation of purposeful destruction with devastating blast beats, a tormenting riff attack and gore-choked vocals, all boosted by the striking mixing and mastering by Tonebetter Soundlab (Vox Mortis, Nattmaran, Murtad) for a scathing, scalding sound and adorned in the eye-impaling artwork of Timbul Cahyono of BvllArt (Massacre, Nocturnus A.D., Witchburner), resulting in a sonic killing machine devoted to the destruction of every living thing.

There are only two words I can say about the opening song Hecatomb, and they’re “HOLY SHIT!”, what a fulminating tune where Jossi gnarls like a demonic pig; and Humam is definitely NOT human behind his drums in Monstrously, blasting our faces rabidly while Dodik slashes his axe in the name of savagery. Heinous is another explosion of vomiting guttural vocals, demented drums and vicious riffs by the trio, showing no peace at all, just violence and hatred, whereas Jossi’s high-pitched screeches couldn’t have sounded more demented in Spurted, or in other words, it’s simply BREEEEEEEEEEEEEE! And Deceased presents an overdose of the most demonic, vile and grotesque form of Brutal Death Metal made in Indonesia, sounding devastating form start to finish.

Jossi’s pig-like guttural will disturb your inner peace in Scattered, accompanied by another infernal performance by Humam on drums; whereas their ruthless Brutal Death Metal attack goes on in full force in Convulsively, where the Cannibal Corpse-inspired riffage by Dodik sounds absolutely awesome. It’s pedal to the metal in the beyond devastating Incessant, a song that could easily be used as the perfect depiction of the most extreme form of heavy music found in Indonesia, followed by Abominable, and a name like that demanded total chaos, violence and gore, which is exactly what the trio has to offer us in this hellish “lullaby”. Last but definitely not least, Humam will pulverize our putrid, frail bodies in Inebriated, while Jossi continues to vomit and bark the song’s unfriendly “words” (or whatever language that is).

Definitely leaving lasting scars upon your mind, Hideously Traumatic is a one listening experience that you are never going to recover from, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Immolation, and Kill Everything, just to name a few. Needless to say, you can get in touch with those torchbearers of violence and gore via Facebook or Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and of course purchase the album from Comatose Music’s BandCamp or webstore, but be warned that their new album is not your average extreme music release; it’s indeed hideously traumatic.

Best moments of the album: Monstrously, Spurted and Incessant.

Worst moments of the album: The fact there isn’t a bassist in the band makes their sound feel a little bit thinner than what it could be.

Released in 2025 Comatose Music

Track listing
1. Hecatomb 2:43
2. Monstrously 2:41
3. Heinous 2:43
4. Spurted 2:52
5. Deceased 2:44
6. Scattered 2:40
7. Convulsively 2:31
8. Incessant 2:25
9. Abominable 2:41
10. Inebriated 3:34

Band members
Jossi Bima – vocals
Dodik Bhre – guitar
Humam Aliy – drums

Album Review – Impureza / Alcázares (2025)

The trailblazers of Hispanic Extreme Metal return with a fantastic new album, once again exploring the duality between extreme music and Spanish sounds inspired by Andalusian culture and flamenco.

Formed in 2004 by guitarist Lionel Cano Muñoz, Franco-Spanish Brutal Flamenco Death Metal entity Impureza offers a unique fusion of extreme music and Spanish sounds inspired by Andalusian culture and Flamenco, creating an atypical style known as “Hispanic Extreme Metal,” therefore turning them into the pioneers of the genre. Recorded and mixed by Sébastien Camhi at Studio Artmusic, mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, and displaying a stylish artwork by Johann Bodin and Xavier Ribeiro, Alcázares is the brand new offering by the band currently formed of Esteban Martín on vocals, Lionel Cano Muñoz on the guitars, Florian Saillard on fretless bass, and Guilhem Auge on drums, supported by Xavier Hamon on percussion and Louis Viallet on orchestrations, once again revolving around the voluptuousness of Latin atmospheres, the ferocity of metal music, and Spanish culture and history, explored through a fictional and esoteric aspect.

The pure Flamenco intro Verdiales will transport our minds to the world of Impureza before they attack with Bajo las Tizonas de Toledo, with Lionel delivering striking riffs and solos infused with Spanish sounds while Guilhem hammers his drums and Esteban roars deeply until the very end. Covadonga keeps the album at a high level of violence and epicness, with Lionel once again stealing the spotlight with his riffage supported by Florian’s puissant bass; and simply let their Spanish sounds penetrate deep inside your soul in Pestilencia, or “pestilence”, where the Spanish guitars by Lionel are effectively boosted by the percussion by Xavier before all explodes into another feast of Progressive Death Metal. And Reconquistar Al-Ándalus, or “reconquering Al-Ándalus”, is another perfect fusion of extreme music and the Andalusian culture, not to mention how infernal Guilhem sounds on drums.

Impureza will then put you to dance to the sound of Murallas, or “walls”, a fantastic interlude that will set the tone for La Orden del Yelmo Negro, which translates as “the order of the black helmet”, carrying a poetic name for an overdose of harsh vociferations by Esteban, all boosted by another visceral, flawless stringed attack by Lionel and Florian. After such a beautiful song, the band offers six minutes of dark, atmospheric sounds infused with the whimsical touch of the Spanish guitar by Lionel in Castigos Eclesiásticos, or “ecclesiastical punishments”; whereas in El Ejército de los Fallecidos de Alarcos, or “the army of the dead of Alarcos”, all backing vocals add an extra kick to Esteban’s harsh growls while Florian and Guilhem make the earth tremble with their progressive and ruthless kitchen. Then another Andalusian-infused instrumental interlude titled Ruina del Alcázar, or “ruin of the Alcázar”, warms us up for their final onrush entitled Santa Inquisición, or “holy inquisition”, where all band members set the ambience on absolute fire, led by the always demonic vociferations by Esteban in a lecture in extreme music.

Often nicknamed the “French Nile” due to their primary influences, which obviously include Nile, as well as Hate Eternal, Behemoth, and Fleshgod Apocalypse, among many others, plus several Spanish artists such as Flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía and gypsy singer Camarón de la Isla, Impureza, which by the way means “impurity” in English, beautifully united traditional Hispanic folklore and Extreme Metal in their new album, presenting the duality between those two seemingly opposed musical genres in a beyond compelling way. Hence, you can get to know more about the band on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on Spotify, and grab a copy of their fiery new opus from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. In a nutshell, not only Impureza are the undisputed trailblazers of Hispanic Extreme Metal, but Alcázares will certainly help them carve their name in the history of heavy music, leaving us eager for more in a not-so-distant future.

Best moments of the album: Bajo las Tizonas de Toledo, Reconquistar Al-Ándalus, La Orden del Yelmo Negro and Santa Inquisición.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Season of Mist

Track listing
1. Verdiales 1:15
2. Bajo las Tizonas de Toledo 6:25
3. Covadonga 4:01
4. Pestilencia 4:44
5. Reconquistar Al-Ándalus 5:25
6. Murallas 2:24
7. La Orden del Yelmo Negro 4:57
8. Castigos Eclesiásticos 6:06
9. El Ejército de los Fallecidos de Alarcos 5:18
10. Ruina del Alcázar 1:37
11. Santa Inquisición 6:26

Band members
Esteban Martín – vocals
Lionel Cano Muñoz – rhythm, lead & Spanish guitars
Florian Saillard – fretless bass
Guilhem Auge – drums

Guest musicians
Xavier Hamon – percussion (session)
Louis Viallet – orchestrations (session)

Album Review – Wrath of Belial / Embers of Dead Empires (2025)

Danish Death Metal juggernauts return with fire and fury on their sophomore full-length opus, casting a harsh light on human cruelty and societal decay.

Pulling inspiration from Death Metal legends the likes of Aborted, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, and even the progressive might of Mastodon, Aarhus, Denmark-based Death Metal juggernaut Wrath of Belial returns with fire and fury on their sophomore full-length opus, entitled Embers of Dead Empires, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2017 debut Bloodstained Rebellion. Mixed and mastered by Mendel bij de Leij (Aborted, Severe Torture, Cytotoxin), with drums recorded under the skilled engineering of Jacob Bredahl at Dead Rat Studios, and featuring a brutally futuristic artwork by world renowned illustrator Daemorph, the new album by Kasper B. Hornstrup on vocals, Jonas L. Thomsen on the guitars, and Anders F.S. Mikkelsen on bass, with support from session musicians Alex Bossen (of OXX) on lead guitars, and Bastian Thusgaard (of Soilwork, Dawn of Demise, and The Arcane Order) on drums, while the live lineup now includes Richardt Olsen on the guitars and Bent Bisballe Nyeng on drums, is a savage, refined, and punishingly tight release that casts a harsh light on human cruelty and societal decay, featuring ten meticulously crafted tracks of  Brutal and Melodic Death Metal packed with razor-sharp riffs, breakneck drumming, and searing vocals.

Dismantling Logos is absolutely insane from the very first second, with guest drummer Robin Stone (of Ashen Horde and Norse) crushing his drums manically while Kasper roars like a demonic entity. In other words, the album couldn’t have started in a more ferocious and exciting way; and Alex and Jonas shred their axes without a single drop of mercy in Mask of Commiseration, offering more of the band’s demented blend of Brutal and Technical Death Metal, followed by The Secular and the Divine, a lecture in Technical Death Metal with the infuriated growls by Kasper walking hand in hand with the inhumane beats and fills by Bastian. The stringed weapons by Alex, Jonas and Anders keep breathing fire and violence in Embers, showcasing the band’s trademark fusion of intricacy and darkness, whereas the metallic, rumbling bass by Anders adds tons of groove to their sound in Visions of the Annointed, being more than perfect for some hard hitting action inside the circle pit.

Bastian shows no mercy for our damned necks an bodies in Atonement, hammering his drums nonstop in the name of classic Death Metal, therefore keeping the album at a humongous level of animosity; followed by The Devouring Mother, one of the heaviest, most infernal of all songs, led by the brutal guttural by Kasper while the band’s guitarists shred their instruments in the name of sheer aggression. There’s absolutely no time to breath to the sound of The Marble and the Sculptor, a no shenanigans, in-your-face Death Metal attack by Wrath of Belial that should work majestically if played live; and the band then sounds even more infuriated in The Stench, a visceral lesson in extreme music where Bastian steals the spotlight with his ruthless and precise drumming. Lastly, the band’s final attack, titled Weight of the Transcendent, offers more of Kasper’s demented screeches while Alex and Jonas keep firing their trademark hellish riffage nonstop.

Fans of bands such as The Black Dahlia Murder, Aborted, and high-speed Death Metal with a razor-sharp melodic edge will have a great time listening to Embers of Dead Empires, which in the end is more than just a record, but a sharpened spear aimed at the heart of apathy and decay. Hence, as Wrath of Belial ignite the underground once again, you can start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, stream their music on any platform such as Spotify, get more details about the band from CDN Records or by clicking HERE, and of course grab your copy of their ruthless new album from the CDN Records webstore. Danish Death Metal has never sounded stronger than now with Wrath of Belial, and if you think you have what it takes to face Embers of Dead Empires, I’m sure you won’t regret getting pulverized by the music found in the band’s newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Dismantling Logos, The Secular and the Divine, The Devouring Mother and The Stench.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 CDN Records

Track listing
1. Dismantling Logos 4:49
2. Mask of Commiseration 4:23
3. The Secular and the Divine 3:49
4. Embers 5:19
5. Visions of the Annointed 4:05
6. Atonement 4:14
7. The Devouring Mother 4:07
8. The Marble and the Sculptor 3:30
9. The Stench 4:11
10. Weight of the Transcendent 4:42

Band members
Kasper B. Hornstrup – vocals
Jonas L. Thomsen – guitars
Anders F.S. Mikkelsen – bass

Guest musicians
Alex Bossen – lead guitars (session)
Bastian Thusgaard – drums (session)
Robin Stone – drums on “Dismantling Logos”
Richardt Olsen – guitars (live)
Bent Bisballe Nyeng – drums (live)

Album Review – Coffin Feeder / Big Trouble (2025)

This Belgian Death Metal and Deathcore supergroup will crush their enemies armed with their debut opus, see them driven before them, and hear the lamentation of their women.

Formed in 2021 in Waregem, a municipality and city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, Death Metal/Deathcore beast Coffin Feeder has just spewed upon humanity their first ever full-length album, titled Big Trouble, the follow-up to their 2022 EPs Stereo Homicide and Over the Top. Recorded by Lander Cluyse and Jeroen Camerlynck, mixed and mastered by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio Studio, and displaying a marvelous artwork that pays homage to all action movies from the 80’s and 90’s we all love so much, the new offering by frontman Sven de Caluwé (Aborted), guitarists Jeroen Camerlynck and Bart Govers (Fleddy Melculy), bassist Jan Hallaert (Leng Tch’e, Motormouth), and drummer Siebe Hermans (Reverse the Sun, When Plagues Collide) goes above and beyond with their fusion of extreme music and action flicks, resulting in 12 tracks of ultimate brutality that will surely inspire you to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women.

Not sure if the intro There Will Be Trouble was inspired by Big Trouble in Little China or by a quote from Robocop, but anyway it’s a very cool and cinematic warmup for the pulverizing Porkchop Express, featuring guest vocalist Julien Truchan of Benighted, with their slamming feast being led by the hammering drums by Siebe in the best Brutal Death Metal style imaginable. Then featuring guest vocals by Ben Duerr of Shadow of Intent, If It Bleeds, inspired by one of the most famous quotes from the 1984 cult movie Predator, is absolutely mental, with Sven sounding inhumane on vocals in this newborn masterpiece of violence and bloodshed. Conan couldn’t have been left out of the party, and the song in his honor, The Destroyer, will crush your spinal cord to the ruthless riffage by Jeroen and Bart (because they know what’s best in life); whereas the rumbling bass by Jan will make your head tremble in Love at First Death, accompanied by the always demented beats and fills by Siebe. And Plain Zero, with guest vocals by Mark Hunter of Chimaira, is a song that will pulverize your frail body mercilessly, with all vocals and instruments exhaling sheer violence and hatred.

Sven continues to bark like a demonic creature in Obey, offering more of the band’s trademark ferocity, with Jan and Siebe once again crafting utterly thunderous sounds through their infernal kitchen. Then it’s time to bang our heads like rabid maniacs in Get to the Party, with the entire band inviting our “beloved” Richter to a brutal slamming feast made in Belgium; followed by Let Off Some Steam, a lecture in Death Metal infused with Deathcore and endless dementia, with Sven once again bursting his lungs by roaring like an evil beast. Needless to say, Bennett must be proud of the boys from Coffin Feeder. H.I.S.S. is by far the least exciting of all songs, never really taking off despite its strong atmosphere, whereas A Good Day to Die offers another blast of venomous riffs and bass lines by Jeroen, Bart and Jan, bringing nuances of Groove Metal and Djent added to their core essence, not to mention its epic background elements. There’s time for one last dive into the circle pit to the sound of The Wrong Arm of the Law, offering a ruthless slab of Deathcore where Sven and Siebe are in absolute sync with their respective roars and beats.

In a nutshell, if you love a good amount of brutality played to perfection, infused with endless adrenaline, and paying homage to all movies that helped put the word “action” in Hollywood the likes of Predator, Commando, and Cobra, you must give a listen to the infuriated Big Trouble, available for purchase from the Listenable Records’ BandCamp or by clicking on these links for the physical or digital edition of the album. You can also “get to da choppa” and start following this demonic supergroup on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and stream their bestial creations on Spotify. If it bleeds, we can kill it. And if it’s a ruthless fusion of Death Metal and Deathcore like what they have to offer us in Big Trouble, then we can slam.

Best moments of the album: If It Bleeds, Plain Zero, Let Off Some Steam and The Wrong Arm of the Law.

Worst moments of the album: H.I.S.S.

Released in 2025 Listenable Records

Track listing
1. There Will Be Trouble 0:56
2. Porkchop Express 2:57
3. If It Bleeds 3:10
4. The Destroyer 3:02
5. Love at First Death 3:18
6. Plain Zero 3:29
7. Obey 2:32
8. Get to the Party 3:25
9. Let Off Some Steam 3:48
10. H.I.S.S. 1:44
11. A Good Day to Die 3:28
12. The Wrong Arm of the Law 3:22

Band members
Sven de Caluwé – vocals
Jeroen Camerlynck – guitars, backing vocals
Bart Govers – guitars, backing vocals
Jan Hallaert – bass
Siebe Hermans – drums

Guest musicians
Mark Hunter – vocals on “Plain Zero”
Julien Truchan – vocals on “Porkchop Express”
Ben Duerr – vocals on “If It Bleeds”

Album Review – Unmerciful / Devouring Darkness (2025)

This Kansas-based Brutal Death Metal beast strikes again with their fourth studio album, delivering ten tracks of unrelenting speed, crushing riffs, and sheer sonic aggression.

Known for their relentless brutality and technically devastating sound, Topeka, Kansas-based Brutal Death Metal creature Unmerciful returns with their fourth full-length opus, titled Devouring Darkness, the follow-up to their 2020 album Wrath Encompassed. Recorded, produced and mixed by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, mastered by Alan Douches, and displaying a visceral artwork by Santiago Francisco Jarramillo, the new album by newcomer Josh Riley on vocals, guitarists/bassists Clinton Appelhanz and Jeremy Turner, and drummer Trynt Kelly delivers ten tracks of unrelenting speed, crushing riffs, and sheer sonic aggression, solidifying their reputation as one of the most punishing acts in modern Death Metal, being therefore recommended for fans of Hate Eternal, Suffocation, and Origin.

Miracle In Fire is a beyond devastating start to the album, kicking us hard in the head with their no shenanigans, devilish sounds led by the guttural gnarls by Josh, and their Brutal Death Metal infused with Technical Death Metal keeps roaring manically in Unnatural Ferocity, with Trynt sounding like a stone crusher from hell on drums. There’s no time to breathe as Unmerciful simply shows no mercy for our necks and bodies in Malice Unbound, spearheaded by a visceral riff attack by Clinton and Jeremy, whereas the title-track Devouring Darkness offers us all a more obscure, doomed side of the band, with Josh barking deeply like a demonic entity. And Relentless Malevolence blasts our faces with two and a half minutes of sheer insanity and ruthless violence, with the crushing beats by Trynt making the earth tremble.

Their cover version for Origin’s Vomit You Out, which original version was part of their 2000 self-titled debut, is a fulminating rendition of such a tech death classic led by the demented growling by Josh; while Infernal Conquering is one of the heaviest, most infernal of all songs, with their scorching riffs and demented beats and fills providing Josh with exactly what he needs to bark like a beast. The Reaping is another explosion of brutality offered by the band, with the demonic growling by Josh and the inhumane drumming by Trynt being perfect for some action inside the mosh pit; and they keep smashing us like putrid insects in Voracious Lunacy, another killer Brutal and Technical Death Metal composition showcasing their passion for extremely heavy riffs. Finally, the album couldn’t have ended in a more ferocious way than with Vengeance Transcending, where their lancinating guitars and blast beats sound absolutely brutal until the very end.

After all is said and done, it’s clear that Unmerciful are definitely cementing their legacy even further with Devouring Darkness, offering more of their signature precision and brutality for the delight of Death Metal fans worldwide, and you can start following this ruthless band on Facebook and on Instagram, as well as stream their music on Spotify and of course purchase a copy of their sanguinary new album from BandCamp or from Willowtip Records. Unmerciful are among us to blast our ears with Brutal Death Metal at its finest, and instead of succumbing to darkness, let’s simply devour it mercilessly to the sound of their infuriated new album.

Best moments of the album: Miracle In Fire, Infernal Conquering and The Reaping.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Willowtip Records

Track listing
1. Miracle In Fire 4:06
2. Unnatural Ferocity 3:33
3. Malice Unbound 3:39
4. Devouring Darkness 5:35
5. Relentless Malevolence 2:40
6. Vomit You Out (Origin cover) 2:51
7. Infernal Conquering 4:12
8. The Reaping 4:15
9. Voracious Lunacy 3:39
10. Vengeance Transcending 3:51

Band members
Josh Riley – vocals
Clinton Appelhanz – guitar, bass
Jeremy Turner – guitar, bass
Trynt Kelly – drums

Album Review – Cumbeast / Fairytales Of Filth (2025)

Finish your plate and buckle in, as Finland’s own Brutal Death Metal creature returns with their depraved seventh studio album, their first dive into twisted fairytale territory.

Finish your plate and buckle in, as Turku, Varsinais-Suomi, Finland’s own Brutal Death Metal creature Cumbeast is back with Fairytales Of Filth, their seventh full-length album and the follow-up to their 2019 opus Gore Zoo. Recorded and mixed by Tomi Uusitupa at Oxroad Studios, mastered By Miro Kiiski at Miro Mastering, and embracing new textures without losing sight of their signature groove-heavy and aggressive sound, now enriched by melodic twists, folk influences, and a handful of surprising collaborations the likes of Sami Perttula (Korpiklaani) and John Puig (Phrymerial), the new album by Snoop Rott on vocals and bass, and Rob ‘O Cock on the guitars and additional vocals, plus former drummer Mikko “Fleshpipe Mike” Konki (who left the band after recording the album last year, being replaced by Stinky Minky this year) is their first dive into twisted fairytale territory, pushing their trademark blend of brutal grooves, blast beats, fretless bass, and guttural absurdism into even stranger places.

Cummando sounds and feels heavy-as-hell from the very first second thanks to the scorching riffs by Rob and the venomous beats by Mikko, while Snoop inspires us to slam like true metal beasts; followed by Metham Of Gotham, a first-class Brutal Death Metal extravaganza led by the deep, evil roars by Snoop, perfect for some wild mosh pit action. Then featuring guests Sami Perttula (Korpiklaani) on accordion and John Puig (Phrymerial) on vocals and intro speech we have Captain Cock, where the music sounds as demented as the “story” of its main character; and guest Lukas Swiaczny (Stillbirth) delivers some sick vocal lines in Abacus Of Testicles, with the band’s pounding drums and vicious riffage turning it into a must-listen for fans of the style. Then it’s time for Henri Sorvali (Finntroll, Moonsorrow) to blast some wicked synths in Troll Named Scrot, adding even more insanity to their core heaviness.

Åbomination is another hammering tune by those depraved bastards, with the deep vociferations by Snoop sounding truly inhumane; whereas a lot of groove flows from Snoop’s bass and Mikko’s drums in Forest Fap Frenzy, sounding at the same time perfect for slamming into the pit or for simply enjoying a cold beer in the name of our beloved Brutal Death Metal. In Ghostfuckers I’m not sure if their intention was to add some sort of Rap-like vibe to its core, but it’s by far the weakest of all due to that; and last but definitely not least, Cumbeast still has enough energy to melt our putrid faces with the cryptic, cinematic Spermafrost, sounding like a bulldozer from hell with the guitar by Rob exhaling pure heaviness.

In summary, if you’re a fan of the absurdity and gore crafted by bands such as Dying Fetus, Suffocation, Stillbirth, Aborted, and Party Cannon, you’ll definitely have a very good time listening to the ruthless, visceral Fairytales Of Filth, taking you on a one-way journey into a rotten land where all fairytales end in pure filth. The guys from Cumbeast are waiting for you on Facebook, InstagramYouTube and Spotify with more of their depraved music, news, tour dates, and an endless dosage of sonic filth, and of course you can show them how demented you are by purchasing a copy of their new album from their own BandCamp. Because although some people might think they live in a fairytale, it’s albums like Fairytales Of Filth by Cumbeast that show those people that the reality is a lot harsher and more gruesome than any type of extreme music.

Best moments of the album: Metham Of Gotham, Abacus Of Testicles and Forest Fap Frenzy.

Worst moments of the album: Ghostfuckers.

Released in 2025 Morbid Generation Records

Track listing
1. Cummando 3:18
2. Metham Of Gotham 3:19
3. Captain Cock 3:45
4. Abacus Of Testicles 3:28
5. Troll Named Scrot 3:48
6. Åbomination 3:39
7. Forest Fap Frenzy 2:36
8. Ghostfuckers 3:13
9. Spermafrost 5:06

Band members
Snoop Rott – vocals, bass
Rob ‘O Cock – guitars, additional vocals
Mikko “Fleshpipe Mike” Konki – drums*

*Mikko “Fleshpipe Mike” Konki left the band in 2024 after the recordings of the album, being replaced by Stinky Minky in 2025.

Sami Perttula – accordion on “Captain Cock”
John Puig – vocals and speech on “Captain Cock”
Lukas Swiaczny – vocals on “Abacus Of Testicles”
Henri Sorvali – synths on “Troll Named Scrot”

Album Review – Devine Defilement / Ruthless (2025)

This ruthless Icelandic crew returns in full force with their third opus, stripped down of the melodic parts for more favorable “slam worship”, speed and brutality.

When you think of Scandinavia, let’s say that slamming and brutality aren’t the first things to come to mind. That’s until the Reykjavík-based Brutal Death Metal/Deathcore slam crew of Devine Defilement spewed onto the Icelandic scene in late 2016, drawing inspiration from a variety of Death Metal sub-genres and having concocted a brutal cocktail of groove, slams, blasts and ferocity that has made them a force to be reckoned with. Now in 2025 such an insane horde formed of Freyr Hreinsson and Ingólfur Ólafsson on vocals, Guðmundur Hermann Lárusson and Sigurjón Óli Gunnarsson on the guitars, Arek Alenjikov on bass, and Stefán Friðriksson on drums returns in full force with Ruthless, their third full-length offering, following up on their 2024 beast Age of Atrocities. Mixed and mastered by Floor VK at GLDCHN Studios, Ruthless is stripped down of the melodic parts for more favorable “slam worship”, speed and brutality, focusing more on the groove and amplifying what makes the crowd move, with its lyrics about murderers, neglect, suicide, cannibalism, and violence being tailored for fans of Ingested, Vulvodynia, Whitechapel, and Pathology, among countless others.

Human Sewer is a beyond bestial and devastating way to kick off the album, with Stefán’s stone crushing drums inviting us all to slam into the pit like a bunch of headbanging bastards, followed by Abusement Park, the perfect fusion of Brutal Death Metal and Deathcore, with the demented guttural by both Freyr and Ingólfur sounding utterly inhumane. Then the Cannibal Corpse-inspired riffage by Guðmundur and Sigurjón match perfectly with all haunting background sounds in Terror Tales, whereas massive blast beats and a striking guitar solo ignite the also ruthless Excreted Entity, with their monstrous dual vocal attack melting our faces mercilessly. Internal Delusions of the Torn Mind carries a very Death Metal name for what’s perhaps the most Death Metal of all songs, with Stefán demolishing everything and everyone that crosses his path on drums, while Pulverised Secretions is simply pulverizing from start to finish, with Freyr and Ingólfur unleashing their deepest, most infuriated growls of the album.

The two-part song “Anthropophagic Apocalypse” kicks off in full force with Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 1 Collapse, a slab of sheer brutality by this Icelandic squad spearheaded by the cryptic riffs blasted by their unrelating guitar duo, whereas Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 Lord of Flesh is another demonic onrush of Brutal Death Metal with symphonic elements, elevating the album’s reach and punch to a whole new level. Get ready to have your head smashed in the curb to the sound of Curbstomp the Predator, perfect for some “no holds barred” action inside the pit; and the infernal, metallic bass by Arek and the unstoppable beats and fills by Stefán will make the earth tremble in Draco Dominus, followed by the beautifully titled Bio-Organic Liquid-Slam, starting with a TV ad-like intro for some sort of “action figures” before all hell breaks loose to the demented vociferations by the band’s two-headed vocal beast. Lastly, the album ends on a dark and mysterious note with Beyond the Veil of Death, offering over five minutes of melodic yet hard hitting Brutal Death Metal with lots of Deathcore nuances.

The guys from Devine Defilement are eagerly waiting to consume your putrid body on Facebook and on Instagram, and you can obviously stream all of their vicious, demented creations on Spotify, and purchase a copy of the unrelenting Ruthless from BandCamp, from Time to Kill Records, or simply click HERE for all things Devine Defilement. There’s no better word to describe the music found in Ruthless than its own title. It’s a ruthless album, a putrid Death Metal and Deathcore attack made in Iceland, and once you’re caught inside their gory mosh pit, you’ll never see the light of day again.

Best moments of the album: Abusement Park, Internal Delusions of the Torn Mind, Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 Lord of Flesh and Bio-Organic Liquid-Slam.

Worst moments of the album: Draco Dominus.

Released in 2025 Time To Kill Records

Track listing
1. Human Sewer 3:46
2. Abusement Park 2:46
3. Terror Tales 3:09
4. Excreted Entity 4:10
5. Internal Delusions of the Torn Mind 2:54
6. Pulverised Secretions 3:51
7. Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 1 Collapse 5:08
8. Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 Lord of Flesh 3:36
9. Curbstomp the Predator 2:10
10. Draco Dominus 2:27
11. Bio-Organic Liquid-Slam 2:45
12. Beyond the Veil of Death 5:49

Band members
Freyr Hreinsson – vocals
Ingólfur Ólafsson – vocals
Guðmundur Hermann Lárusson – guitar
Sigurjón Óli Gunnarsson – guitar
Arek Alenjikov – bass, backing vocals
Stefán Friðriksson – drums