Fossilization are a Brazilian death metal band and this is their second album.
Following on from 2023’s monstrous Leprous Daylight, Fossilization have once more emerged from their ancient slumber with the 36-minute Advent of Wounds. Strap yourself into the slime-covered pain machine, as it’s about to get nasty.
Advent of Wounds is a horrid and dismal exploration of bleak heaviness, grim atmosphere, and unending darkness. Ranging from the menacing terrain of hostile death metal brutality to barren vistas of mood-rich doom, via the cold ice of blackened hatred, this is a collection of songs that are designed to destroy and despirit.
Fossilization deliver a masterclass in death metal that’s as foul as it is toxic. The music’s raging aggression is a torrential assault on the listener, with horrific melodies that burrow deep beneath your skin and belligerent drumming that shows no mercy at all. The deep growled vocals are incredibly satisfying. The intensity is mind-numbing, but there’s no real respite in the slower or more atmospheric moments; these are focused on crafting demoralising auras and harrowing nightmarescapes, inflicting layered forms of suffering on the listener’s beaten-down corpse.
Yep, this is quality stuff. The songs are well-written and boast many strong moments across their durations. Advent of Wounds offers up a gruesome mix of furious blackened death metal and macabre death/doom, and it would be foolish to turn it down. Fossilization have levelled themselves up, and each song exists at an exquisite balancing point between withering extremity and compelling songcraft.
Fossilization have created a harsh, malice-rich daemon of bladed teeth and oppressive threat. Advent of Wounds is a brutal exemplar of raging fury and corrosive atmosphere. You won’t want to miss out on the punishment it dishes out.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 