The twisting nastiness that is the realm of death-doom metal is quite an unpredictable one for all intents and purposes. While there are certainly reaches of the sound that are cleaner and much more approachable, it undoubtedly has corners that are dark and endlessly foreboding. While I sat here convinced that acts along the lines of Gateway and Tumulation would take the undisputed crowns of death-doom that’s as actively carnivorous as it is outwardly horrific, there was an entity building in the shadows that I was barely aware of. Consisting of musicians who know their way around the demented and intimidating, the debut album from Dwelling Below is a wild card of evil death-doom that we could always use more of.

Just looking at the line-up for Dwelling Below, it should be obvious that we were in for a really good yet no less than demented time. Everything about this debut forces you to think that before you even listen to a single note from the devilishly psychedelic cover art to some of the band member’s experience in Acausal Intrusion. For these four tracks, though, nobody could have predicted this slimy creation that rose from the darkest waters of a foul, forgotten sewer. Without missing an opportunity to truly eviscerate all that stands before them while always making sure the pain is as delicious as it is grueling, Dwelling Below offers nothing close to relief or solace in the horrifying realm in which they reign supreme. Far more than riffs put into a maliciously heavy form, the violent and dynamic nature of the record truly comes for the light of your soul. Be it from the harsh atmospheres that immediately blot out the sun or the uncompromising voracious spirit that permeates every given moment of this debut sets up Dwelling Below to be a real menace in the reaches of the underground where light dares not travel. They take their time with more than enough patience to make sure when they strike it is made with utmost precision with results that are downright nightmarish.

The sprawling expanse of death-doom is never lacking when it comes real power and menace when it’s all taken into proper account, but few things can ever truly compare to when a band full embraces what’s possible for the sound and actually do it well. Dwelling Below sets the standard fittingly high for what these guys have done before in other bands with this new entity certainly something that will put out material that fans of the thickest, nastiest death-doom should immediately flock towards. The skies darken to herald the arrival of this monstrous act with desolation sure to come swiftly.

“Dwelling Below” releases December 8th via Transcending Obscurity Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Dwelling Below” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Dwelling Below on Facebook here.