EP review: Paraphilia - Primordium of Sinister Butchery (2021)

Paraphilia - Primordium of Sinister Butchery

USA

Brutal Cave Productions

“Primordium of Sinister Butchery” is the debut EP by Pharaphilia from Oregon, USA. The release features 4 tracks of unapologetic death metal with a bit of modern polish, as well as having a slight blackened feel to the compositions. It boasts a series of decidedly interesting riffs and an atmosphere that feels suffocating at all times. The alternating vocal styles ranging from Deicide-esque growls to more incomprehensible piq-squeels (for lack of a better term) is a verily brutal facet and adds a distinctive dynamic to their sound. The culmination of their potential is best displayed on the track ‘Patterns of Invigoration’, which is an absurdly punishing track in its own right and best experienced with proper headphones. The cover of Deicide’s ‘The Are The Children of the Underworld’ is no surprise considering their propensity for brutal death metal. In short, it’s a solid EP, although opting for a real drummer would be a mandatory adjustment to their sound, irrespective of how good the material is. Pharaphilia is an interesting prospect with much potential, so let’s observe their progress and see where they'll go with future recordings. (HT)

EP review: Mortuary Spawn – Spawned From The Mortuary (2021)

Mortuary Spawn – Spawned From The Mortuary

England, UK

Brutal Cave Productions / Chamber of Emesis / Sewer Rot Records

Mortuary Spawn is one of those bands that encapsulate everything I fucking love about Death Metal – and “Spawned From The Mortuary” is one of the best EPs I’ve heard lately. I’m quite surprised over the fact that the band is from England, since I haven't heard a killer death metal band from over there since... well... Garden of Eyes (a few months ago!) This whole EP is utterly savage, dark and crushing.

If you like your death metal sounding like it was created by members under the possession of some otherworldly entity whose sole purpose is to bring nothing but pain and suffering into this world, then the music of Mortuary Spawn is definitely for you. This EP is fairly short (clocking in at 15 minutes), but what it lacks in its duration it sure as hell makes up for in terms of brain-mangling brutality, as the band gets straight down to the meat and do not fuck around.

The vocalist emits a perfect guttural growl, which I can only describe as very abrasive. The guitars are heavy as hell and pair well with the heavy low-end. The drums have a nice raw sound to it, which is suitable for the gritty production on this release. It’s actually refreshing to hear a new death metal band that doesn’t opt for a clean sound on their first release. It’s a band that has a good understanding of the genre’s ethos (mainly because they’re not posers). Look at the artwork! That’s cult as fuck. This is raw and straight to the point death metal that brings to mind the heavier parts of Suffocation infused with some melodic segments. It’s good shit and anyone who loves death metal should check it out. Killer EP through and through! Favourite track: Odious, The Charnel Miasma. (HT)

EP review: R.I.P. - As Good As Dead (2021)

R.I.P. - As Good As Dead

Germany

Brutal Cave Productions

"As Good As Dead" is the debut EP from these German death metallers, which was released by Brutal Cave Productions.

A quarter of the band's line-up consists of members from the thrash metal band Destroyer, which haven't really put out anything since 2013. R.I.P. definitely have their fair share of thrashing chops, with a sound inclined towards straight-forward death metal charged with foot-tapping grooves and mid-tempo battery. There's somewhat of a "fun" element in their sound, although they still manage to keep it heavy and brutal, which sits well with the overall aesthetics. The bass is always audible in the mix, which gives it a nice, chunky feel. Vocals are well performed and brings to mind John Tardy of Obituary. Riffs aren't particularly technical, although there's some cool solos scattered throughout, including a plethora of killer riffs that will kick you on the ass.

"As Good As Dead" isn't a terribly innovative release, as we've heard similar sounding stuff about a dozen times before, although it's definitely good for what it is, even though it's quite a short EP. The release is augmented with an excellent mix and production, which really brings out the power in the overall performance. These four songs get better with each listen, and is a solid representation of what we can expect from the band in the future. Musically, their sound owes a lot to bands like Autopsy and Obituary, but executed with a revitalized energy. (HT)

Demo review: Phthisis - Embodiment of Decay (2020)

PHTHISIS - Embodiment of Decay (Demo 2020)

USA

Brutal Cave Productions

“Embodiment of Decay” is the debut demo from Colorado miscreants, PHTHISIS, and was released by BRUTAL CAVE PRODUCTIONS (Portugal) on CD. The demo features 4 tracks of cavernous Death/Doom, with a pinch of power electronics on the first and third track. The vocalist emits a powerful growl, backed by hellish rasps here and there. The guitars are well executed and do a good job at conjuring an ominous atmosphere. The bass is nicely laced in the mix and add an extra layer of heaviness. The drums are well implemented, with the drummer doing some pretty inventive fills and stuff. The production also isn't bad for a demo and does well at augmenting the performance. The atmosphere evokes horrifying images of being locked in a dark room with some hideous monstrosity. “Embodiment of Decay” is definitely a very solid entry and considering that it's the band's first demo. 4 tracks of pure sinister Death/Doom madness that clocks at 23 minutes. Recommended. (HT)

https://brutalcaveproductions.bandcamp.com/album/embodiment-of-decay