Written by Westin
October is upon us, smoke bellows from the crematorium and unbeknownst to all until too late is that the acid rain begins to fall – it is a deadly month for death metal. Back in August I made a Twitter thread reviewing every death metal album I’d listened to this year up to that point, unleashing an unexpectedly awesome discussion. That gave me an idea – I wanted to shake up our monthly roundup a bit and this time I’m here to hand you a preview of ten upcoming death metal albums to keep your eyes out for. As a bonus you can go read my review of the latest Undeath album right here. With even more releases this month I could only cover a handful, so grab your shovels and let’s dig in.
October 4th
Devenial Verdict – Blessing of Despair
Progressive death metal from Finland
Devenial Verdict are, if nothing else, dynamic. Their compositions ebb and flow like an ocean current, sinking into a quiet lull that can turn and drown on a dime, smashing you apart. The guitars on this record shift from laid back grooves to massive walls of force, drums pound and bounce off your skull, vocals warning you to turn back. Something terrible lurks in the deep and dark, and as the pressure builds the music swells and overwhelms. Fantastic record.
FOR FANS OF: eldritch death metal.
Livløs – The Crescent King
Melodic death metal from Denmark
Melodeath is healthy again and I couldn’t be gladder. The Crescent King sits at a really nice middle ground between old-school and modern, capable of both full on brutality and gorgeous texture. The album is full of beautifully dark moodiness and grand heights that play off the band’s capability to suddenly turn to aural assault when called for. Livløs is geared towards the heavier and more atmospheric end of the genre spectrum for those wanting something a little colder.
FOR FANS OF: Dark Tranquility, Black Dahlia Murder
Maul – In the Jaws of Bereavement
Death metal/deathcore from the US
Before that extra genre tag scares anyone off let me assure you that it is solely complimentary. Maul sound almost like a different band entirely on their new album, this shit is groovy as hell and it sounds crushingly enormous. Everything is upgraded from the production to the songwriting to the performances, especially the killer leadwork. The strong core elements only enhance the band’s central sound and never detract from the music, actually leaving me feeling like this band from Fargo, North Dakota did their homework better than the Texas scene that’s currently leading this type of sound. If nothing else In the Jaws of Bereavement finds a band that really stands out from the rest of the pack on both commitment and execution. I pre-ordered this one personally.
FOR FANS OF: Texas death metal but one step further, especially if you can’t shut up about Job for a Cowboy’s Doom EP being when deathcore was good (that’s me)
Temple of Dread – God of the Godless
Death metal from Germany
I first heard Temple of Dread last year off their Beyond Acheron album, which was good, but the new one is even better. Vocalist Jens Finger (great name) has more of that dry, raspy tone of early first wave American death metal bands and the band has a similar penchant for the early thrashier side of the spectrum. There are tons of great riffs and drum fills and the production is meaty but simple, a great example of straight forward death metal.
FOR FANS OF: early Obituary, Death
October 18th
Ashen Tomb – Ecstatic Death Reign
Death metal from Finland
A debut records needs something to stand out in a sea of other bands, and Ashen Tomb have found the secret – if you’re a fan of novelty this album features a song with a title that’s nearly as long as the album. But when you actually listen you’ll find really chunky riffs and plenty of grooves to headbang to. The strong American death metal influences are very audible and Ashen Tomb sells it, plus there are sick guitar solos and some touches of atmosphere to give a little texture here and there.
FOR FANS OF: Immolation
Carnosus – Worm Tales
Technical death metal from Sweden
Willowtip Records strikes again, highlighting why they’re one of the best roster labels in recent years. Last year’s Visions of Infinihility drew a lot of eyes and the latest Carnosus record is here to cement them as one of the best young blood techdeath bands. Songs emphasize staccato machine gun bursts backed up by tasteful compositions that will actually stick to you. Melody is a key component for Carnosus alongside a variety of deliveries to keep things fresh.
FOR FANS OF: Arsis
Feral – To Usurp the Thrones
Death metal from Sweden
If you’ve been eagerly searching for some good ol’ Swedeath look no further than the latest from Feral. The band are appropriately named, a singular violent adjective utterly ferocious as they attack with that iconic buzzsaw tone and dank, scuzzy production. The guitar solos are a highlight here as the music routinely swells to accent and push the energy levels constantly higher. This is a tightly paced record with a singular vision and just enough variety that you’ll never grow bored. A lot of modern albums in this vein can be forgettable but I’ll certainly be returning to this.
FOR FANS OF: Entombed, Revolting
October 25th
Ataraxie – Le Déclin
Funeral doom/death metal from France
Le Déclin is the sound of depression haunting your every step. This is an album companion for laying in quiet contemplation of every misery and regret you’ve experienced. A perfectly autumnal record, this is chilly and drawn out, a full bodied experience to sink into as the cold settles over your body, crushing in the depths of existential emptiness. When the death metal ratchets up and kicks to life it feels utterly monstrous, separating the album from similar albums without that vicious energy constantly threatening to rise and take over.
FOR FANS OF: None, Bell Witch
Gigan – Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus
Progressive/technical death metal from the US
Try to say that album title five times fast. Gigan’s sound is dizzying, a cacophony of sound and sonic barrage that peels away in layers, able to focus or unravel at will. Riffs are angular and overwhelming, buried underneath drums and strange pedal effects. At times they even sound like Gojira with their otherworldly layering and sweeping guitars. This album is a stray transmission distinctly trying to contact intelligent life in some unfathomable dimension beyond, damn the consequences.
FOR FANS OF: Gorguts
October 28th
Mental Torment – Dead Shot Revival
Death/funeral doom metal from Ukraine
Unlike the other “death + funeral doom” album on this list, this is a death/doom album first. Mental Torment lead with the heavy and use funeral elements to add flourish, like the melodic keys/strings that deftly sing on the opening track. This is a record built on riffs and rhythms, with punchy drums and aching melodies as punctuation. Leadwork on Dead Shot Revival is incredibly tasteful and emotive, soaring overhead like a wistful ghost.
FOR FANS OF: Pantheist