Often enough do we see death metal that the offensive in a very aggressive form given that’s the basis for the genre in more instances than not, but it’s only in rare occasions that we see a death metal act come around pleading for its cause rather than taking it by force outright. There’s power through conviction for your cause with many utilizing the threat of demise through inactivity to usher people into action. Death metal likely isn’t the first medium many would think of for such a method of convincing, yet it’s with their debut album that Unearthly Rites makes one hell of a compelling argument with the visions of their causes haunting and all too real.

The very definition of “Ecdysis” is absolutely perfect for the crusade that Unearthly Rites finds itself on; the process of shedding old skin. Wreathed in environmental themes that begs the listener itself to take a side for humanity’s future if it is to remain in balance with the planet, these nine tracks hold nothing back as Unearthly Rites makes a plea for change on an overwhelmingly global scale to ensure that it is a tomorrow to wake up to. A tremendously cavernous performance that wastes no time in assault the mind as well as the flesh with the horrific prospect of a world drained down to its last drop with naught left but a cataclysmic horizon, “Ecdysis” knows precisely how to get its message across with real potency and power to match the heavy themes that are slowly becoming more and more urgent as the years pile on. It’s with the infusions of more than a little punk and doom metal that elevate these songs to become far more than straightforward death metal. Rather, the record quickly takes on the titanic weight of its concepts to match the emergency, the insistence, and the plea for a world not doomed by its own children that Unearthly Rites convey to immense effect without so much as a shred of impending doom not eventually lightened, even ever so slightly, by the tinge of hope that there is still time to turn things around.

It’s quite odd to see death metal of this variety offer any semblance of hope, but Unearthly Rites has pulled it off in spectacular fashion. Where the horrors of industrialization march forward ever further into the planet’s crust, Unearthly Rites strives to put up quite the powerful barrier to stop such actions before it’s too late. Should we as a species fail, then the very definition of “Ecdysis” shall come to pass with all the horrific visions that Unearthly Rites has foretold.

“Ecdysis” releases on May 3rd via Prosthetic Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Ecdysis” on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.

LIKE Unearthly Rites on Facebook here.