​‘Communion of Corrupted Minds’ is the latest offering from the Midwest band Noxis and PA band Cavern Womb. This is another offering in Rotted Life’s split series.

For starters, sides A (Noxis) and B (Cavern Womb) are very different sides of the death metal coin.

The Noxis side hits you with modern death metal that is new, yet familiar sounding. The songs are well written with a distinct center piece and ending. The bass sounds particularly gnarly and makes their side really enjoyable.

​However, I can’t seem to get behind Cavern Womb. The vocals are a bit abrasive. If you are looking for something more classic death metal, you won’t find it here. The vocals presented on this release are a bit unconventional, and it doesn’t help the landscape of the material at hand

Cavern Womb may not be for me, but it may be for someone out there!   

Overall this release is worth the price of admission as it offers something for everyone.

3/4 Coffins ​⚰️⚰️⚰️

Crypt Crawler hails from Western Australia and presents in 2021 with a sophomore album entitled ‘Future Usurper.’

At the beginning of the album you’ll hear the influences of Death, Obituary, and Morbid Angel.

What I like about this group is they add a modern twist to old school death while still maintaining the OSDM style. This is not today’s typical HM2 wannabe worship band.

What stands out to me is the excellent guitar melodies and riffs. The rhythm section is a force to to reckon with and makes the music even more punishing.

​The drums and rhythm guitar always keep the music interesting which allows for the lead guitar to really stand out.

Keep in mind this is a full length album with 10 tracks just shy of 50 minutes. It is worth seeking out for how much material is on this album.

If you are looking for a modern death metal band with a nod to OSDM, look no further than Crypt Crawler!

3/5 coffins ​​⚰️⚰️⚰️

Now, normally I don’t review releases more than a year or so old. Harsh Realm’s ‘Beyond Torment’ was sent to me by a friend (thanks Jud), and with a new single released this week: I felt compelled to review it.

This release came out in June of 2019, and it contains 5 tracks clocking in at a hair under 15 minutes.

Keep in mind I knew nothing about Harsh Realm prior to receiving the tape, so I went into it with no expectations.

This is what I heard:

Upon first listen, I am hearing similarities with acts like Old Man Gloom, Sweet Cobra, or other sludge acts.

Now, some acts stop there!

The drumming helps keep the songs from getting stale, and the tempo changes from sludge to fast-paced death metal at breakneck speed.

Overall I dig this cassette! They have copies for sale at their Bandcamp for $6.66!

As for the band’s single this week, it sounds more on the death metal side of the coin. Very interesting.

I’ll definitely keep my eyes out for what’s next.

3/4 coffins ​⚰️⚰️⚰️

​Los Angeles, California’s, Civerous landed a full-length album in late November 2021 with ‘Decrepit Flesh Relic’ via Transylvanian Recordings.

The album as a whole is very ambitious. The album contains long track lengths, with lots of elements to help the overall tone of the music. 

How would I describe it? 

The guitar riffs and tremolo picking are similar to modern death metal. The tempo of the songs is more suggestive of death doom. The extra elements of production have the band rounding the black metal corner. 

The total runtime of the album is 45 minutes, containing only 7 tracks. 

I do have my qualms about the album. Because of the themes of the music and track lengths, it is difficult to listen to quickly. Plan on making some time in your day, and prepare to be devastated… emotionally! 

I highly recommend this album if you are a fan of Worm, Decrepisy, or other gloomy groups. 

3/4 coffins ​ ​⚰️⚰️⚰️

​Chasmdweller are a duo from Toronto, Canada. Most of the music is done by a single person (Zach Smith), and the other person (Donny G) handles lyrics and vocals.

This is some CANNED SPAM IN THE ASS brutal death metal similar to that of Devourment!

This band is so close to being a slam band, yet, they don’t ever really take you over to slam land.

Again, this is straight up brutal death metal.

Flesh Crusade features 5 songs that clock in at  just under an hour. The first song has a dirty riff that drives the whole entire song, and the band keeps it so exciting you won’t notice it took 6 minutes to get through the track.

The whole album, from start to finish, is a fun listen if you like your death metal in the brutal category. This album does not quit! 

If you are a brutal death metal fan, this is a must!

Did I mention how brutal this album is?!

4/5 coffins  ​⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️

V​omit Spell is a death metal/grindcore band from Mainz, Germany. Their self-titled album, on cassette, reached the states via Life After Death Records. The album itself came out in October of 2021.

The album art, shell, and cassette are all a stunning blue, and it is very aesthetically pleasing.

The music is the perfect blend of death metal and grindcore in the vein of Repulsion.

Now, I know what you are thinking: “I heard this before!”

This is different somehow. In all of the songs there is a melancholy driving factor through the intensity of grindcore and death metal. The auxiliary guitar melodies really make this album unique.

The album clocks in at around 34 minutes with 5 tracks per side. It’s worth every penny! If you are a death metal fan, or into songs with a little more to them, don’t sleep on this release!


3/4 Coffins

​⚰️⚰️⚰️

California’s Succumb came on my radar in 2017. I have always been a fan of the label they are on: The Flenser. Once I saw this avant-garde label had a metal band, I jumped all over it! Their self-titled debut showed tons of potential and was promising for future releases.

Fast forward to 2021, and Succumb drop a second full length titled ‘XXI.’ The album has 8 songs with a runtime of about 35 minutes.

This time the cassette was handled by Caligari Records. It’s a beautiful sounding cassette, for one. For two, it’s cool to see this band do a cassette release with Caligari.

​

​The music is almost indescribable, but it could be classified as death thrash, death metal, avant-garde, etc…

At times the vocals, and music, remind me of Today is The Day.

I think it’s safe to assume this will be a memorable release for the band. I can’t wait for what’s to come next!

3/5 coffins ⚰️⚰️⚰️

So you get the cassette in the mail, you tell yourself "yippie" you put this beast in your tape deck..the result? Utter devastation.

Enduring the first song of this album is 6 minutes of mid tempo double bass drum creating the most bleakest of funeral doom. I am not sure I would call it that at times. This band can pick up the pace and the riffing is quite impressive.