The idea of no-guitar metal is something that is slowly becoming more and more of a thing with there being more than a few bands out there now that dare to attempt such a sound with it having as much a capacity for excellence as it holds the likelihood of failure should it fall into the wrong hands. However, it’s in this scenario that several names throughout the underground in my experience have never once faltered in the face of this. Thecodontion is one name that has never failed at such an approach with their prehistoric themes always fitting such a style exceedingly well, and after a successful split with Vessel of Iniquity in 2021, they’re ready for another tag-team assault with Ceremented being another name that compliments the sound of Thecodontion without missing an opportunity to perpetuate their bass-only power as well.

When we’re dealing in a sound that’s as forward and as raw as death metal that’s purely driven by a pair of powerful basses, it remains critical throughout the very entirety of the work in question that the band never once lets such potential for incredibly presence to become lackluster or disappointing given the massive possibilities. For both Thecodontion and Ceremented, it’s clear right from the beginning of each band’s contributions that this split is not close to any sort of disappointed with it acting as what could very well be the next step in the sonic approach for each act, if not an interesting sidestep at the very least. With their three tracks for this split, Thecodontion shows us a new side to their sound that works almost too well despite how well-done their approach has become over the years. We’re treated to new visions brought to life by keyboards and synthesizers that don’t just compliment the unrestratined death metal of Thecodontion, but really helps drive home the themes that concern both the creatures brought forth here with the Cambrian lifeforms of the trilobite and halluigenia, both whose very images conjure some of the strangest glimpses into early life on this planet that we’ve come upon. That’s not even including a surprising cover of of Franco Battiato who plays a massive role in the influence for Thecodontion with the cover showing us the band’s first foray into clean vocals with the whole of the performance something that I doubt we’ll ever see from the band again in the near future. For their four tracks, Ceremented is nothing short of bold in their presence from beginning to end. As adept as they are in their own brand of bass-driven death metal with bouts into the realm of death-doom for real flavor and cataclysmic power that leaves not a single bit of flesh on your pathetic bones, their presence is not to be denied! Whereas Thecodontion dealt in two specific lifeforms, Ceremented deals in world-ending terror of nature itself. As foreboding as it can be righteously raw in its unyielding fury, the voracious breed of death metal that Ceremented brings to the table is precisely the soundtrack to a mass extinction that one could ask for.

Prehistory is something that could suit all sorts of styles with death metal certainly not being a genre that I think most people would look towards for the passages of Deep Time to find a home in, but its with nary a guitar in sight and more than enough proficiency in their particular craft that has made them names to be respected for some time now, Thecodontion and Ceremented are forces not to be trifled with. Alone they are powerful entities not to be underestimated, but it is together that they shouldn’t be seen as anything less than cataclysmic.

“Thecodontion / Ceremented” releases on April 7th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Thecodontion / Ceremented” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Thecodontion on Facebook here.

FOLLOW Ceremented on Instagram here.