Retching – Charming the Decomposed (Review)

Retching - Charming the DecomposedThis is the debut album from US death metal band Retching.

What is this rotten bag of offal that has been unceremoniously stuffed through my letterbox? Oh, there’s a note, written in something quite unwholesome that I’d rather not look too closely at. It says – Retching. Then, beneath – Charming the Decomposed. Sounds nasty. Okay, I’d better hold my gag reflex and examine this pile of filth before it gets even more disgusting and I never get the stains out. Continue reading “Retching – Charming the Decomposed (Review)”

In Mourning – The Immortal (Review)

In Mourning - The ImmortalThis is the seventh album from Swedish death metal band In Mourning.

In Mourning play melodic death metal with a progressive edge. With a duration of 47 minutes, The Immortal paints a rich canvas that captivates with its emotive depth and melodic colour. Continue reading “In Mourning – The Immortal (Review)”

Defacement – Doomed (Review)

Defacement - DoomedDefacement are an international death metal band and this is their fourth album.

I enjoyed 2021’s Defacement, but then totally managed to overlook its follow up from last year – Duality. This oversight ends now, as a year on from that release we have the 41-minute Doomed. Continue reading “Defacement – Doomed (Review)”

Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind (Review)

Ashen - Leave the flesh BehindThis is the second album from Australian death metallers Ashen.

Following on from 2023’s Ritual of Ash comes the 39-minute Leave the Flesh Behind. The Ashen death metal juggernaut continues to roll, crushing all in its path. This time though, there are more layers to Ashen’s assault. Continue reading “Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind (Review)”

Castrator – Coronation of the Grotesque (Review)

Castrator - Coronation of the GrotesqueCastrator are an international/US death metal band and this is their second album.

Containing a member of Gruesome, Castrator play ferocious death metal, and they mean business. Coronation of the Grotesque is a 33-minute whirlwind of devastation, (37 minutes with the bonus track – an Exodus cover). Continue reading “Castrator – Coronation of the Grotesque (Review)”

Grand Cadaver – The Rot Beneath (Review)

Grand Cadaver - The Rot BeneathThis is the latest EP by Swedish death metallers Grand Cadaver.

Both 2021’s Into the Maw of Death and 2023’s Deities of Deathlike Sleep were quality excursions into Swedish death metal waters, so it’s great to see Grand Cadaver back with this 16-minute EP. Continue reading “Grand Cadaver – The Rot Beneath (Review)”

Psycroptic/Ghost Bath/Underdark – Rebellion, Manchester – 02/08/25 (Live Review)

Psycroptic Ghost Bath Underdark - Rebellion, Manchester - 02.08.25

Psycroptic, Ghost Bath, and Underdark were originally part of a larger event, (with a pretty damn sexy lineup), that got cancelled for reasons unknown. In its place is this very enticing show, with only these three bands surviving the cut. It was a relatively late change, with the tickets not transferring, so I was hoping that this new event would have sold enough tickets in its own right to have a decent-sized crowd for the bands. Regardless of the turnout, I’ve been looking forward to this, Psycroptic especially, as I’ve never seen them and they’re one of the best tech death bands in existence. Continue reading “Psycroptic/Ghost Bath/Underdark – Rebellion, Manchester – 02/08/25 (Live Review)”

Malthusian – The Summoning Bell (Review)

Malthusian - The Summoning BellThis is the second album by Irish blackened death metallers Malthusian.

2018’s Across Deaths was a nightmarish, venomous first record from Malthusian, ably showcasing their hideous blackened death metal style. In 2022 we were gifted with Time’s Withering Shadow, their split with Suffering Hour, which was another impressive outing, for both bands concerned. Which brings us to the 54-minute The Summoning Bell. Have Malthusian continued their ascent from the bowels of the underworld? Continue reading “Malthusian – The Summoning Bell (Review)”