For those of us who find ourselves fascinated by the macabre, it’s a wonder as to how many avenues there to when it comes to an entry point to where we are now. Horror media and its many forms have been the source of numerous debates many times over in society for the influence that it has, especially on the youth, and it’s no question that those now-classic fonts of blood and gore played a huge part in that. Particularly, horror movies. Influence from landmark films in horror has made an undeniable mark on what death metal has become with many paying homage to what got them started in the realm of viscera. With their latest album, Grave Ghoul does just that.

While it’s names like Fulci or Heads for the Dead that I tend to think of whenever it comes to revering what has come before in terms of horror media, there is always room for more in the big bloodbath that is simply a massive spectacle for us to feast our eyes upon. With chainsaws in one hand and throwing down all sorts of riffs with the other, it’s throughout the absolute entirety of “Living Dead Flesh” that Grave Ghoul brings forth a strong flavor of death metal that’s utterly caked in the kind of nasty, gritty gore that many of us associate with when the horror medium was truly raw, burgeoning, and on a level that we simply cannot compete with nowadays. Ripping in virtually every instance and a tour de force of what it means to give old school death metal a fresh coat of slime and pus the likes of which only lead to the most glorious infection, this is a glorious example of what it means to deliver a massive slab of pulsating underground nastiness that can only be found on the seething floor of the underground itself. Hardly anything new, if anything at all, is brought to the table for this alleyway slaughter, yet it’s through the true understanding of what makes for real raw death metal of an unyielding sort that Grave Ghoul comes out on top in every possible instance. Whether it’s through an immense layer of dark harmonies or a dirge of gore and viscera that cannot be tamed for nothing, Grave Ghoul proves to be constantly and consistently efficient with its horrific tools of death.

It’s a hell of a sight to see a band so proficient at their craft. Nothing held back nor an opportunity for immense gore missed, Grave Ghoul puts forth death metal here of an ilk that is simply staggering to bear witness to in every instance as their undead army swarms over this pathetic world. Revering what has come before and always looking to perpetuate its glory, “Living Dead Flesh” is that shot of old school greatness that we’re always on the lookout for.

LISTEN to “Living Dead Flesh” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Grave Ghoul on Facebook here.