Technical Death Metal

Cryptic Shift – Overspace & Supertime Review

Cryptic Shift – Overspace & Supertime Review

By Andy-War-Hall on February 23, 2026 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 87 comments

“With the same swirling whammy lick opening “Moonbelt Immolator” gracing the opening minute of “Cryogenically Frozen,” Cryptic Shift have returned. Visitations from Enceladus was a monolithic record that rocked my world in 2020, taking me to the most vile reaches of the universe in a technical death/thrash expedition of cosmic horror. Six years later, the group from Leeds, UK aim to expand on their already expansive debut regarding both their sci-fi theming and musicality with their sophomore. They didn’t skimp out on us either.” Shifting to overkill drive.

Desoration – NON Review

Desoration – NON Review

By Owlswald on February 18, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 22 comments

“Self-releasing an album is a monumental effort. Between production, distribution, artwork, press, yadda yadda yadda, the logistical weight quickly consumes vast amounts of time, money and energy. And that’s before you factor in the arduous task of creating music that’s actually fucking good. Indeed, for a young band, initial encounters are everything, which means it behooves one to ensure everything is as polished and professional as possible. Desoration understands this” Self against self.

Phasma – Purgatory Review

Phasma – Purgatory Review

By Kenstrosity on February 17, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Deathcore, Hardcore, Technical Death Metal, 34 comments

“Sometimes an album comes around ye olde promo pit that looks and smells familiar, but plays like something else entirely. Today’s entry into the “what the heck am I actually listening to?” hall of infamy is Phasma’s Purgatory. The third record from the Greek/US duo, and the first carried by a label—our beloved Transcending Obscurity Records—Purgatory continually subverted every expectation I had. In doing so, it became one of my biggest pleasant surprises in recent memory.” Set Phasmas to brutal stun.

Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum – Meritoriousness of Equanimity Review

Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum – Meritoriousness of Equanimity Review

By Kenstrosity on January 28, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 95 comments

“Far be it from me to deny a band the right to representation under their full government name. However, Belarusian tech death entity Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum challenges not just SEO integrity, but also the sanity of all who would read its name. Good luck with that, too, because if you manage it, you’ll open a portal to an unfathomable universe of hellish delights.” Call upon the Chthulhu.

Carrion Vael – Slay Utterly Review

Carrion Vael – Slay Utterly Review

By Grin Reaper on January 15, 2026 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 65 comments

“Carrion Vael has cultivated an admirably consistent release schedule since dropping Resurrection of the Doomed in 2017. After unleashing follow-up God Killer in 2020, the Richmond, Indiana quintet has delivered big, veiny doses of muscular, technical melodeath every other year. Slay Utterly is Carrion Vael’s fifth load of unfettered aggression, slinging riffs that sparkle and crush in whiplashing frenzies. Though not explicitly billed as a concept album, Slay Utterly delves into tales morbid and macabre.” Carrion, my wayward son.

ByoNoiseGenerator – Subnormal Dives [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

ByoNoiseGenerator – Subnormal Dives [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By Kenstrosity on December 18, 2025 in Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2025, Death Metal, Grind, Mathcore, Technical Death Metal, 62 comments

“Me, falling in love with a jazzgrind record? Of all the things that surprised me this year, that takes the cake by a wide margin. Of course, it follows that the band responsible for this change of heart is no less than my (formerly) least favorite act in the turboniche subgenre, Russia’s ByoNoiseGenerator.” Panic at the jazzgrind emporium.

Pillars of Cacophony – Paralipomena [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

Pillars of Cacophony – Paralipomena [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By Owlswald on December 5, 2025 in Things You Might Have Missed 2025, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 25 comments

“Amidst the routine of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the hidden, complex universe that exists just outside our normal gaze. It only takes a bit of magnification to reveal it: a place where cells shift and collide, forming the invisible architecture of existence. Capturing the awe of this biological machinery is a tall order. Yet, Dominik, multi-instrumentalist and mastermind of Pillars of Cacophony, has created a soundscape with second LP, Paralipomena, that does exactly that, exploring the building blocks of life through sound.” Life and death metal find a way.

Revocation – New Gods, New Masters Review

Revocation – New Gods, New Masters Review

By Saunders on September 25, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 48 comments

“On Revocation’s ninth LP, New Gods, New Masters, mastermind Dave Davidson is joined by long-time drummer Ash Pearson and newly minted members Harry Lannon (guitars) and bassist Alex Weber, both seasoned underground musicians and hardly newbies to the extreme metal game. The other factor of interest is the addition of numerous guests, including Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation), Jonny Davy (Job for a Cowboy), lesser-known Israeli musician Gilad Hekselman, and Gorguts legend Luc Lemay. Is this a ploy of a band running low on ideas and seeking reinforcements, or a master stroke to add firepower to an already stacked arsenal?” Too much firepower?