Dying Realm - Siege The Walls EP

Labels: Self-Released/Cavernous Records/Dry Cough Records

Formats: Digital/CD/Tape

Release Date: 12 Mar 2026

Tracklist:

1. Graves Of Gods

2. Villainous Incantation

3. Mace Buried Deep

4. Abundant Mutilation

Why does it feel so right to be reviewing this EP during the hellish inferno that is this early summer heatwave? Maybe it's the baying skeleton army and the backdrop of the burning castle, or it might just be that everything feels on fire today. I like the heat, but we're not geared up for it at all.

Birmingham, UK death metallers Dying Realm released their debut EP Siege The Walls in March of this year, making it available digitally. The EP also saw it's was onto physical formats with a CD run from Cavernous Records and a tape run from Dry Cough Records, as well.

Once again the UK death metal scene is the gift that keeps on giving. This time that gift comes in the form of Brummie newcomers Dying Realm. Members and ex-members of Nerve Agent, Bound by Blood, Iron Tomb, Odessa and more have formed a quintet of epic proportions. Kicking off their debut EP Siege The Walls with ‘Graves Of Gods’, Dying Realm’s death metal is a mix of both old and new (at least to my ears). Slamming, blasting, technical and filled with screeching leads. The vocals deliver both high-pitched screams and raspy lows. 

‘Villainous Incantation’ has a much higher tempo, as kick-drums lead the way. It’s not without its downtempo moments though, as Dying Realm infuse slower passages and bridges, where atmosphere and even subtle doom elements creep in. It’s super sick! This EP is such an awesome listen thanks to the recording and mixing job by the band’s own Jake Murray at Just Noise Audio, coupled with mastering from Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.

Moving into the second half of the EP, ‘Mace Buried Deep’ starts off with more slam-like riffs and furious percussion, giving way to verses that are filled with thrash influences and some really great technical guitar/solos. Looking past the experience Dying Realm have in their ranks. It’s impressive to hear what they’ve been able to put together.

‘Abundant Mutilation’ ends Siege The Walls with blistering intensity. Exactly as death metal should be played, Boatloads of heaviness, more than matched by melody too. David Blaney (vocals), Jake Murray (guitar). Sam Thompson (guitar), Tom Stokes (bass) and Mitch Dornan (drums) have delivered a really solid EP. 

There are more death metal bands than ever, from all over the world, trying to reach fans right now. Each country has its own sound and approach, but I have to say the UK is really moving forward with the quality of bands this island is producing. Dying Realm deserve to be right up there after this. Fingers crossed for more to come!

You can stream and purchase Siege The Walls digitally via Dying Realm's bandcamp page below:-

You can also grab physical copies and other merch from them here -https://dyingrealm.bigcartel.com/products

Physical copies are also still available from the labels below:-

Cavernous Records (CD) - https://cavernousrecords.bigcartel.com/product/dying-realm-siege-the-walls-ep-cd 

Dry Cough Records - https://www.drycoughrecords.com/product/dying-realm-siege-the-walls-cassette-dc85

Dying Realm Instagram - @dying_realm 

Cavernous Records Instagram - @cavernousrecords 

Dry Cough Records Instagram - @dry_cough_records

Redivider - Sounds of Malice

Labels: Third House Communications

Formats: VinylCD/Digital

Release Date: 09 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. Quartered & Devoured

2. Sounds of Malice

3. Shackled to Existence

4. Apocalyptic Waste

5. Fratricide

6. Back in the Rot

7. Left to Rot

So much for a bank holiday of rest and relaxation. My head is full of numbers and way too overburdened. I don't know why I do it to myself! That being said, I made time to sort out my record collection too after recent arrivals and I need more space. Maybe I'll eventually add a copy of Redivider's Sounds of Malice to it at some point.

The death metal quintet for Kentucky, United States released their debut album back in January. They originally formed back in 2021 and released a demo the following year, which featured three of the songs that make up this album. Sounds of Malice was released in collaboration with local Louisville, Kentucky label Third House Communications. Let's see how their death metal holds up...

I haven’t been keeping track but it’s been a while since I last featured any US death metal, mainly because I’ve been trying to diversify a bit. Kicking off with ‘Quartered & Devoured’, Redivider go with a sound that’s equal parts thrash, slamming death and Southern drawl. It has a ferociously mean rhythm-section, excellent dual guitars and vocals that offer up squeals, and gutturals alongside a nod to Lamb of God (maybe?).

Next up it’s the turn of the title-track ‘Sounds of Malice’ and it’s a lot more brutal sounding, with pummelling drums, off-kilter time signatures, pinch harmonics and even an epic solo or two. Obviously, that’s not all there is to it and knowing that none other than Dan Swano mastered this album (and let’s not forget the recording work by Michael Kent O’Bryan and Brian ‘Bone’ Thorburn, or the mixing of Paul Nunavath, who is also the band’s lead guitarist), and you can see why it sounds so damn good!

’Shackled to Existence’ has the unique honour of being the album’s longest song but also its most progressive. I’m not sure that’s the right descriptor for it in truth but Redivider pull out all the stops to make it sound as engrossing as it does. I think the gap between the demo and the release of this full-length has been time well spent, as it’s allowed Redivider to truly hone their sound. 

In true thrash/death metal style, there had to be a song here called ‘Apocalyptic Waste’! I say that in the kindest sense because it reminds me of the bands that introduced me to both sub-genres. As a song it doesn’t disappoint with plenty of up-tempo extremity and progression, as well as some good old chugging riffs for good measure.

‘Fratricide’ continues along the progressive vein, using it to make Redivider’s death metal sound even dirtier and more old-school. There’s been such a resurgence in this form of death metal over the last few years and it shows no sign of slowing down. If anything, it should keep on going! I know everything is cyclical and it probably won’t last forever, so best to make the most of it.

Penultimate song ‘Bask in the Rot’ lives up to its title as Redivider delve deeper into the rottenness that prevails in death. While it’s first half is more of a mid-paced crawl, the latter half is punchier for the most part, as percussion builds in tempo and the guitars follow suit. The vocals are still as horrid as they’ve been throughout and ending on a sludgy tipping point is a nice touch.

All of this leads you to album closer ‘Left to Rot’, which is a succinct four-minute blast of everything great about Redivider’s songwriting. The fact that they’ve been working so hard on their songwriting over the last few years, shows how much they care about their craft. To use it to create such a strong first album is even more impressive. 

Some bands exist for decades and write countless albums based on their laurels (you can probably guess who I mean). They’re not even close to being as enjoyable as Sounds of Malice. Hats off to Jacob (vocals), Paul (lead/rhythm guitar), Jake (rhythm guitar), Alexander (bass) and James (drums).

You can stream and purchase Sounds of Malice digitally, and on vinyl below:-

Redivider - https://www.facebook.com/redivider.louisville

Third House Communications - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581503949129

Sulphuric Deity - Demonstration MMXXVI

Labels: Self-Released/Iconoclasm Conquest

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 06 Feb 2026

Tracklist:

1. Introduction

2. Gas Guts

3. Mutant Plague Assault (The Plague Becomes The Sword)

4. Foetus Christ

5. Subterranean Eradication

These are bleak times. Grey Britain is definitely living up to its name. From an island nation that gave birth to Black Sabbath's doom and the driving tempos of Motörhead, the bedrock for extreme metal was laid (at least in the UK). War metal, which shares its roots with black and death metal, has branches that stretch from South America to India and across every other country/continent if you look hard enough.

A new band emerged last year going by the name Sulphuric Deity and quickly released their first demo in February. Needless to say it sold out quickly, leading to a repress via German label Iconoclasm Conquest. My review this evening is of the digital version that contains five songs, while the tape version includes an additional exclusive cover of Blasphemy's 'War Command'.

Starting with ‘Introduction’, which was a collaboration between Sulphuric Deity and Mike Blenkarn-Durning, the sound of distorted air raid sirens, gales and disconcerting explosions provide the perfect backdrop to Sulphuric Deity’s intense barbarity. ‘Gas Guts’ unleashes hellishly loud, feedback-laden instrumentation as well as high/low-pitched vocals. It’s an instant impact that you never recover from.

‘Mutant Plague Assault (The Plague Becomes The Sword)’ takes the band’s grind influence and dials it up as high as it’ll go. There’s a metallic edge but not one that’s too obvious, as the recording and the rest of the instrumentation drags it back into darker territory. Demos can sometimes be overlooked but not by fans of extreme music and this one demonstrates why (sorry).

Sulphuric Deity’s sound leaps forward throughout this release and nowhere is that more obvious than on ‘Foetus Christ’, where bestial back metal is joined by death metal groove and screeching solos, causing a rousing opening salvo that leads to more crazed musicianship. Closing with ‘Subterranean Eradication’, there’s something immediately satisfying about the power of the instrumentation. Slightly powerviolence-esque, it continues on alongside scathing vocals that harness the true hatred that exists within black metal.

This is a powerful demo. One that justifies constant rotation alongside its recent tape repress. I’ve witnessed a lot of bands go silent after one or two releases. Hopefully, it isn’t the case with Sulphuric Deity.  

Demonstration MMXXVI is available to stream and purchase digitally from Sulphuric Deity below:-

Limited 2nd press tape copies are available from Iconoclasm Conquest here:-

https://iconoclasmconquest.com/products/sulphuric-deity-demonstration-mmxxvi-mc

Sulphuric Deity - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586266141454

Iconoclasm Conquest - https://www.facebook.com/iconoclasmxconquest

Ain Sof Aur - Theos-Vel-Samael

Labels: I, Voidhanger Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 03 Apr 2026

Tracklist:

1. I

2. II

3. III

It's been a long time since I've featured a release from Italian label I, Voidhanger Records. I was planning to stick to my schedule but the call for something more avant-garde was too great. That's where Brazilian black metal band Ain Sof Aur drew my attention.

It's well worth noting that Ain Sof Aur have been a band since 2006. They released three demos, two full-lengths and a split during nine very productive years before a gap of eight years leading to this release (Disclaimer: all the above information comes courtesy of Metal Archives and therefore may not be fully accurate).

I love experimental, avant-garde metal now more so than ever. Despite the fact that it’s taking pride of place in my personal record collection; it’s not something that my fellow record-loving (local) friends can stomach. Their loss! I guess that’s why I chose to go off-piste this evening with the latest album from Brazilian black metal band Ain Sof Aur. Containing three songs and starting with ‘I’, you’re greeted with a sound that’s both melodic but also incredibly frenetic, and metallic in places. This opening song sits just shy of twenty-one minutes in length and as such, it takes a while to grow. Instrumental metallic elements and subtle doom-like passages grow in prominence before the band’s experimental black metal reveals itself fully.

I can completely see why I, Voidhanger Records took Ain Sof Aur under their wing, even at this early point. After doing some early reading about the album, I was expecting this opener to be a lot more instrumental/drone-like in delivery, but it’s so far from that. It’s a fully encompassing black metal song that rages when it needs to, slows down in tempo where appropriate and uses beautiful panic-chords/riffs as if they were free. I can’t put my finger on any single comparison and I guess that’s a good thing overall.

I decided to write this review in two sittings, which I now realise was a stupid idea because the break in between has halted my momentum. I’ll learn one of these days. ‘II’ thankfully has momentum of its own, being more condensed and shorter than the opener on Theos-Vel-Samael. There’s still a lot of doom influences here but it seems to walk a more avant-garde path too, relying greatly on the band’s instrumental creativity as the vocals flow in and out. Pleasingly to my ears, the further the song progresses, the more avant-garde sounding it becomes. Ain Sof Aur do a great a job though of appealing to all manner of extreme metal listeners, so don’t be worried about my attempts to describe their music.

Even before ‘II’ has had time to finish and sink in, closer ‘III’ comes at you with insane energy. The furious combination of both percussion and guitars lead to the most disgusting black/death metal song to come out of Brazil since I can remember. I don’t think even music by the most well-known Brazilian extreme metal greats can compare (but feel free to shoot me down here!). Honestly, this album is such a joy to listen to. It’s delivered with great integrity and artistry. Ain Sof Aur themselves add to the excitement that’s growing around the Central/South American extreme music community of late.

Theos-Vel-Samael is due for official release just two days now but pre-listening and ordering can be made via I, Voidhanger Records below:-

Alternatively, physical copies will be available to purchase soon from I, Voidhanger Records through their web stores here:-

EU - http://metalodyssey.8merch.com/

USA - http://metalodyssey.8merch.us/

Ain Sof Aur - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076227245589

I, Voidhanger Records - https://www.facebook.com/i.voidhanger.records

Feretro - The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh

Labels: Despise The Son Records/Nihilistic Holocaust Records

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 06 Sep 2025

Tracklist:

1. Twilight of Life

2. Towards Perishment

3. The Ancient Horror

4. In Agony

5. The Hour of Death

6. Time to Die

7. Death's Cycle

8. Flesh for Worms

9. Epitaph

On Monday just gone, I posted about one half of the promo package I recently received from French label Visceral Circuitry Records (the January CD pressing of Null by Peasant God). The second half of that package contained a promo cdr of the 2025 album The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh from Chilean death metal band Feretro. The album was released last September by Visceral Circuitry's sister label Nihilistic Holocaust Records, while Chilean label Despise The Son Records released in on tape in December.

The album marked Feretro's twentieth year as a band, a time that has seen them release five demos, two EPs, a compilation and a split tape prior to (this) their debut full-length. In true old-school fashion, Feretro have no social media presence (to my knowledge) and let the independent labels they work with, spread the word.

Another new band gracing the blog thanks to somebody much more in the know than myself! It’s also great to see that people still invest time in putting together proper physical release promos. It’s a trend I’m seeing more of this year, so far. Feretro begin The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh with instrumental intro ‘Twilight of Life’,  which sounds grandiose and acts as the perfect build-up to the rest of the album. What comes next is a shock to the system as it brings raging thrash together with gutter-dwelling death metal. ‘Towards Perishment’ comes at you with changing tempos, frenetic percussion, groove-laden bass, buzzsaw riffs and bellowed vocals that nod towards death metal’s greats.

‘The Ancient Horror’ follows on and encapsulates the sound that Feretro have been honing across their twenty-year existence so far. A sound that hits you with ripping speed while also ploughing the lowest furrows of murky death metal, albeit with the odd slick guitar solo thrown in because why the hell not! So far, this album has been filled with up-tempo bangers and that continues with ‘in Agony’, to start with at least, before you’re dragged into a realm of abject misery in the mid section. It switches up again for the final-third, with riffs that take on an avant-garde form, which was evident earlier too now that I think of it.

There’s a greater doom/sludge influence going on at the beginning of ‘The Hour of Death’, as dual guitar melodies coupled with slower bass/drum progression in what is an extremely solid (almost entirely instrumental) song except for the closing few seconds of gurgling horror. ‘Time to Die’ takes you back to Feretro’s blasting and thrashing sound once again, where they fire on all cylinders to create yet more blistering extremity. 

This wouldn’t be an old-school death metal album if it didn’t contain at least one properly lengthy song. It comes in the form of ‘Death’s Cycle’ that stretches over 8+ minutes and is filled with progressive trickery, as well as stellar song-writing. It shows how maturing naturally as a band can really benefit that first album! It’s been twenty years for Feretro but it’s been absolutely worth the wait, as I’m sure those of you in the know will agree!

Penultimate banger ‘Flesh for Worms’ whips up the pace once again and thanks to more exceptional lead guitar work (alongside the rest of the band), leaves you wanting more. I’m really going to have to dig further into the Chilean scene now, as I keep seeing people mention how good it is and hearing this album cements that. Ending aptly with ‘Epitaph’, Feretro seem to dig up added rawness out of nowhere but also add warmth with brief synth tones too. It’s quite a bizarre way to close out the album but it works!

I’m truly grateful to both Nihilistic Holocaust Records and Visceral Circuitry Records for introducing me to two bands I otherwise wouldn’t have come across. Feretro are excellent and if like me, you’re an old-school death metal lover, then this album is perfect for you.

You can stream and purchase The Mortuary Destiny of Flesh digitally, as well as on CD from Nihilistic Holocaust Records below (European fans only):-

You can also buy the CD here via the label's webstore - https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/Webshop/en/accueil/3490-feretro-chile-the-mortuary-destiny-of-flesh-cd.html

Sadly, I haven't been able any links to Despise The Son Records. If anybody reading this knows of any information or of a webstore, please let me know!

Feretro - https://feretro.bandcamp.com/album/promo

Nihilistic Holocaust Records - https://www.facebook.com/nihilisticzinedistro