While there are certainly instances that allow for grandeur and sprawling excellence that knows no bounds, bigger is not always better. Death metal is many things simultaneously with all of its different veins and styles constantly pulling its fans into all sorts of different directions with the listener the only one able to determine what direction they want their death and madness to go in. There’s always a time and a place for those performance that seek new horizons and go insane with unparalleled musicianship, but there’s nothing that can compare to simple and effective. In a genre like this, it’s oftentimes surgical and calculated in demented fashion that derives straight from the old school. With a vision of such firmly in hand, Shrieking Demons did the concept extreme justice with all they’ve brought forward in their first full-length album.

Straightforward and devilishly efficient much like that of an unassuming blade with a viciously sharpened edge meant specifically for the slicing of flesh, death metal of this ilk is what the underground is positively littered with given the reverence that the old school of death metal has garnered for itself over the decades, yet that has not once stopped bands from coming out of the woodwork to perpetuate its gory splendor. Adorned with a cover art that taps into the imagery of the old school itself, Shrieking Demons is a contorting beast that has put forth ten writhing tracks that takes into account much of what has come before without ever once neglecting to inject some of their own personality into the mix such that “The Festering Dwellers” doesn’t quickly become another recycled creation reaching for false greatness. On top of the fact that the people behind this effort have enough experience across the board in the realm of death metal to execute the macabre at an undeniably high level, “The Festering Dwellers” was almost destined for success in its onslaughts from its riffs, melodies, dirges of undeath, and immense competency that many can only ever hope to ascertain in their act’s first full-length album.

Shrieking Demons demonstrates efficiency and intensity undeniable throughout the whole of this creation with every single shred of this record with no fat left on the cutting nor a moment wasted in the effort to bring it all forward with loads of terror in hand. For all that the old school still has to offer to those who seek to learn from its tomes, “The Festering Dwellers” is an excellent example of such studies resulting in naught but mastery and devastation.

“The Festering Dwellers” releases on January 31st via Transcending Obscurity Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “The Festering Dwellers” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Shrieking Demons on Facebook here.