As still one of the most insane death metal bands that I’ve heard in years, Khthoniik Cerviiks stands far apart from the rest. It doesn’t take a genius whatsoever to see why, and I have been waiting patiently for years to hear more from these maniacs ever since their split with Howls of Ebb. Three years have been well spent waiting to hear more from this group as it’s now with their second full-length offering that we’re given another visage into their unrelentingly abnormal mindset that is like no other band in the entire world. To say it’s a near-scarring experience of the best kind would be putting it lightly.

If the ominous but incredibly simple cover art doesn’t pull you in, then the sheer balls that they have to even attempt to pull off such an insane sound will draw you in simply to see whether or not they’re able to pull it off. Just as they weird as all hell name suggests, Khthoniik Cerviiks nails it in literally every possible way. There isn’t a single merciful thing at play here nor does Khthoniik Cerviiks ever dare to take the safe route at any point throughout “Æequiizoiikum” with its murderous intent being made clear in every single second that it has to offer as it moves through the planes of death, madness, and everything unholy without once taking a wrong step. Everything about this record is what it means to take the very idea of death metal into another dimension altogether and pulling it off with virtual mastery, and Khthoniik Cerviiks makes it all into a work of absolute beauty. They somehow manage to cram in not only mind-boggling displays of death metal the likes of which we only get on the most extremely rare of circumstances to gripping melodies that still fit that previous description, but you still can’t wretch yourself away because of how much of a marvel everything is. It makes “Æequiizoiikum” an amazingly eclectic listen that really knows how to grab your skull to keep your attention, always keep you guessing, and never once goes in the direction that you might expect.

I already knew that this shit was going to be insane just by knowing that it’s a Khthoniik Cerviiks piece, but there is very little that could’ve given me proper preparation for what this album holds in store for any listener should they be expected madness or not.There’s no other way of putting it when it comes to “Æequiizoiikum”: it is absolutely something that must be heard to be believed.

“Æequiizoiikum” releases on July 17th via Iron Bonehead Productions!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Æequiizoiikum” on SoundCloud here.

LIKE Khthoniik Cerviiks on Facebook here.