Redefining Darkness Records

No/Más – No Peace Review

No/Más – No Peace Review

By Grin Reaper on March 10, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, 11 comments

“DC deathgrind ensemble No/Más formed almost a decade ago, pumping out a split, two EPs, and a full-length between 2017 and 2022. Four years later, No/Más assails 2026 from the jump, touring with Exhumed and Oxygen Destroyer as well as crackin’ skulls with their sophomore effort, No Peace. Stylistically similar to their debut Consume/Deny/Repent, No Peace offers listeners twenty-two minutes of throat-punching, toe-stomping aural hooliganism that’s as charming as it is confrontational.” Más effect.

Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind Review

Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind Review

By Kenstrosity on August 19, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, 21 comments

“Australian death metal troupe Ashen impressed me back in 2023, but not because their debut record Ritual of Ash was an especially good or groundbreaking record. Instead, their confident presentation, deceptively impactful songwriting structures, and subtly distinct approach to a weathered style of death metal struck me as a rare case. Where many acts that pedal peddle an HM-2 or adjacent style of death metal content themselves with base reproduction of common idols, Ashen merely use their influences as a foundation for their own voice. With more time to massage their songwriting further and strengthen their identity, Ashen prepare sophomore monster Leave the Flesh Behind, and it’s big.” Ash is the new grave dirt.

Atomic Witch – Death Etiquette Review

Atomic Witch – Death Etiquette Review

By Tyme on July 30, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 19 comments

“Cleveland, Ohio’s death thrash quintet, Atomic Witch, began as Bulk & Skull in 2012—a nod to the comic relief duo from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers—before changing their moniker in 2016. After releasing a few singles and EPs, Atomic Witch partnered with Redefining Darkness Records and producer Dan “The Man” Swanö for their debut album, Crypt of Sleepless Malice, in 2022, which created a splash in the death thrash pool with its visceral riffs, horror-themed lyrics, and completely unhinged vocals. Three years of lessons learned later, Atomic Witch have reopened the crypt to unleash sophomore effort, Death Etiquette, upon the phantasmic masses.” Be polite as you die.

Faithxtractor – Loathing and the Noose Review

Faithxtractor – Loathing and the Noose Review

By Maddog on January 10, 2025 in Reviews, Blackened Death Metal, Death Doom, Death Metal, 78 comments

“Faithxtractor’s second biggest musical contribution was the comment section from their last album. With a Farmers Only joke, a thread about metalcore album names, and a story that must be read to be believed, the birdbrain community’s mockery of Faithxtractor’s name has left me giggling for two years. Of course, the band’s biggest contribution was 2023’s Contempt for a Failed Dimension itself. Perhaps my favorite frill-free death metal record in recent memory, Faithxtractor’s fourth full-length dealt in riffs and also riffs.” Tractor pulling may cause injury.

Sentient Horror – In Service of the Dead Review

Sentient Horror – In Service of the Dead Review

By Steel Druhm on October 25, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, 26 comments

“From the lush, verdant meadowlands of New Jersey seeps the toxic terrors of caveman death dealers Sentient Horror. These thuggish cretins have been hurling their vulgar takes on vintage HM-2 Entombed-core at the morgue wall since 2016, when Ungodly Forms channeled the early days of Edge of Sanity. 2022’s Rites of Gore saw them pollute the Swedeath with American influences of the least evolved variety. In Service of the Dead finds Sentient Horror experimenting with thrash and NWoBHM elements to further diversify their user-unfriendy sound.” To live and die in New Jersey.

Oxygen Destroyer – Guardian of the Universe Review

Oxygen Destroyer – Guardian of the Universe Review

By Holdeneye on August 7, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 80 comments

“Nearly three years ago, I dropped a Very Good score on Sinister Monstrosities Spawned by the Unfathomable Ignorance of Humankind, the sophomore record from Seattle’s Kaiju-themed death/thrash purveyors, Oxygen Destroyer. The earnestness with which band leader Lord Kaiju and his party of massive-monster minstrels weave their tales of gargantuan creatures into their furious metal through the use of film samples and sound effects lends their no-nonsense music a certain nerdtastic charm, and that album earned an Honorable Mention spot on my 2021 year-end list.” Big monsters!

Alchemy of Flesh – By Will Alone Review

Alchemy of Flesh – By Will Alone Review

By Holdeneye on November 13, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 13 comments

“The last time we saw Alchemy of Flesh around these parts, the project was peddling video game-themed Floridian death metal, and good video game-themed Floridian death metal at that. Tim Rowland is the one man behind this one-man band, and he impressed me with Alchemy of Flesh’s debut record, Ageless Abominations, a record that leaned heavily on Rowland’s love of all things Morbid Angel. Just a little over two years later, Rowland and Alchemy of Flesh are back, this time promising an experience that is “a lot more intense and demanding.” Lead to death gold.

Flesher – Tales of Grotesque Demise Review

Flesher – Tales of Grotesque Demise Review

By Steel Druhm on September 12, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 48 comments

“It seems some young, untested acts are luckier in their friends than others. Indianapolis-based death upstarts, Flesher hit the streets with a bright and shiny debut adorned by the repellant art of the infamous Ed Repka and sporting a mastering job by none other than Dan “the MAN” Swanö. Adding to the star power, they got Devin Swank of Sanguisugabogg to pop by to drop some guest garbage disposal sounds. So does Tales of Grotesque Demise warrant all the unusual spotlight and attention?” The flesh is weak.