There are just some bands that seem to be able to make their formula stand the test of time no matter how they do or how often they do it across their releases with however many they release. Death metal has loads of examples but I feel very few have stood the test of time like that of Exhumed. Their sound is still incredibly fresh no matter how many times they put it into a new album as that was demonstrated fantastically two years ago with “Death Revenge”, and now it’s being all but cemented with the bloody excellence that’s perfected titled “Horror”.

It’s the occasional album of top-tier nastiness and gruesome intensity that can make almost any fan of death metal go nuts with how fucking awesome it is just in its essence alone. I thought the band that was going to take the peak of that glory this year was going to be Bones with their fresh offering of visceral nastiness and mastery over the craft, but it’s Exhumed that’s managed to, at the very least, stand shoulder to shoulder with that release as it’s “Horror” that blows everything away at every turn. Bringing together their renowned mix of death metal and grind that’s extremely refined to where there’s not a single one of these fifteen tracks that reach over three minutes in length, and it’s in every one of those fire-touched moments that Exhumed does nothing but absolutely devastate with riffs, visceral speed, solos that can boil blood, vocals that induce mass riot, a bass that never knows the meaning of mercy, drums that sound like a rapid-fire automatic; “Horror” fucking has it all! These masters seems to be on one fucking hell of a streak ever since their return almost ten years ago, and they show not a single sign of slowing down as it’s with this album in particular that I feel like we’ve gotten Exhumed at a peak that isn’t to be underestimated or fucked with in any capacity.

Right from that visceral beginning to the cataclysmic ending that’ll leave you wanting more and more of the gory goodness that’s on constant display here, there isn’t a single moment throughout all of this monster that Exhumed shouldn’t be immensely proud of. Every single seeping ounce of “Horror” should be hailed as one of the grand death metal experiences that we’re to get by the end of this year, and I wouldn’t be shocked if this behemoth sneaks onto plenty of year-end lists including my own.

“Horror” releases on October 4th via Relapse Records!

PRE-ORDER “Horror” via multiple sources here.

LISTEN to singles from “Horror” on Bandcamp here.

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