Necrot – Lifeless Birth (Review)

Necrot are a death metal band from the US and this is their third album.

2020’s Mortal was an enjoyable slab of old-school death metal carnage, and now Necrot are back to reap more limbs with the 40-minute Lifeless Birth. It’s a step up a level for Necrot, one you must listen to if you’re a fan of bands such as Gatecreeper, Bolt Thrower, Undeath, Incantation, Blood Red Throne, Autopsy, Grave, Tomb Mold, Outer Heaven, Genocide Pact, etc.

Necrot play traditional brutality, augmented by technical and thrash elements on occasion. The songs are tight and well-structured, demonstrating the band’s increasing understanding of the essential dynamics of the death metal style.

On Lifeless Birth Necrot have given more focus to their songwriting, shaping their old-school death metal into juggernauts of monstrous hooks and memorable heaviness. There is an abundance of lethal riffs, killer grooves, and headbanging rhythms, all of which are designed to demolish live arenas. They also use speed and aggression well, bursting into explosive violence that supports the rest of the musical destruction. The music’s burly core heaviness is enriched by the presence of a selection of choice leads, solos, and melodies that help make Lifeless Birth as enticing as it is. Some of the songs are even quite anthemic with their shoutable choruses.

Lifeless Birth is a classic death metal album through and through, yet is unafraid to step out of the shadows of the genre’s foundations. Different ideas are incorporated into Necrot’s death metal at key moments – a progressive flourish, blackened shading, dark atmosphere, heavy metal character, blues touches, etc. – which all contribute to a vibrant and creative work.

Well, these extremely catchy songs are so well-crafted that they’re simply a joy to listen to. Every song is a winner with a life of its own. Despite its largely old-school flavour Lifeless Birth feels like a timeless exemplar of the style that’s simultaneously pushing itself into the modern era.

Necrot’s notable journey so far has brought them to this point, and Lifeless Birth is the pinnacle of their output so far.

Essential listening for any death metal adherent.