Short Releases
200 Stab Wounds-Pile of Festering Decomposition EP
Hey look, it’s a short EP from Maggot Stomp. That should clue you in that this is a gross, chunky approach to the genre, but 200 Stab Wounds also knocked it out of the park in terms of songwriting, since this easily digestible 10-minute EP is also extremely catchy. All I know is some of these demo/EP only Maggot Stomp bands better start putting out full-lengths soon.
Fleshrot-Demo 2020
I admit, sometimes I judge bands based on their cover. The cover to Texan band Fleshrot’s demo reminded me strongly of a VHS cover to some gory, sleazy cannibal film. And gory and sleazy are accurate descriptions for the music too, so it’s not just for show, with some horror synth tracks bookending this fantastic demo.
Fleshvessel-Bile of Man Reborn
A single, 25 minute track may be off-putting to some, but Fleshvessel pulls it off on Bile of Man Reborn. This is highly experimental, weird death metal that fits like a glove with I, Voidhanger, who re-released this EP after the band put it out independently. It’s a sublime mix of technicality and hypnotic, atmospheric death.
Dodskvad-Kronike I
Dodskvad’s debut to the world is for fans of raw, early death metal. But it’s more than just a straightforward thrashing ripper. There’s a lot going on in this demo that is surprising for such a short, obviously old-fashioned death metal release. It’s very bass-heavy, and there’s some subtle synth work that isn’t really common in this type of death metal. Also, some of the riffs and drum beats have a vaguely trad feel to them, especially the latter, which break into a full-blown gallop in the opening track.
Conjureth-Foul Formations
Wayne Sarantopoulos is behind some of my favorite death metal from the last decade, including Father Befouled, Ghoulgotha (who I always thought were underrated) and many of the Vanessa Nocera projects. Conjureth is his new baby, formed with bassist Ian Mann and drummer Frankie Saenz, who also played in Ghoulgotha. Conjureth is a stew of American death metal influences, with Morbid Angel and Incantation being most prominent to me. Conjureth put out a second demo this year too, which is also definitely worth a listen.
Hyperdontia-Excreted from the Flesh EP
Hyperdontia’s excellent take on cavernous death metal reared its ugly head again this year, this time in the form of an EP. It has the frenzied drumming and subterranean vocals we’ve come to expect, but the band also does an excellent job of playing around with dynamics, occasionally slowing the tempo down. The band also put out a split with Mortiferum in 2020, which is an easy recommendation for fans of either band.
Fluids-Ignorance Exalted EP
Repugnant and gross, Fluids fits right in on Maggot Stomp. Ignorance Exalted is chunky, primal death metal for fans of Mortician. Ignorance Exalted doesn’t contain anything other than filthy death metal, and while their type of knuckle-dragging barbarism may not be for everyone, I like their output.
Bastard Priest-Vengeance…of the Damned EP
It’s been nearly a decade since Bastard Priest have put out anything so this EP was most welcome. Vengeance…of the Damned is a short burst of high-quality Swedish death metal that’s adrenaline-charged and raucous in the way early Dismember and Entombed were. The band may not do anything new with Swedeath, but their two full-lengths were excellent and it’s good to see them back.
Acid Witch-The Halloween that Wasn’t EP
Acid Witch were pretty bummed that the pandemic ruined Halloween, but as a result we got this nice little EP from them. I’m a fan of Acid Witch’s spooky synths and trad-influenced groovy riffs, so I’ll always take more from the band. The title track to this one is pretty catchy and goofy, which is just want I expect from Acid Witch.
Noxis-Expanse of Hellish Black Mire EP
Here’s death metal for the intestinally challenged, judging from the songtitles. Noxis plays a version of mid-paced brutal death I really enjoy, Imagine the NYDM brutal death classics like Suffocation and Immolation crossed with some Finndeath weirdness and if that sounds appealing at all check out this EP.
