For many, raw intensity is the path forward. While that’s a path that can be consistently bombastic for all the right reasons, there are times when you have to be smarter rather than brute-forcing your way through to success. Nuance and intricacy can really do wonders for those who know how to approach such concepts in a way that comes across as organic and thrilling for all the right reasons, yet it can be quite a slippery slope before a band finds itself biting off more than it can chew. You need to know how to push yourself without being overly ambitious, with death metal littered with bands that suffer such a fate. With their second album, Yotuma could have easily fallen into such a trap yet dodge it with precise movements that are just fascinating to behold.

Excellence tends to come in many forms, but it’s oftentimes channeled exceptionally well early in a band’s career or increases as they go along. For some, it comes naturally. For others, they have to work their way up to it as they become more comfortable with themselves, their craft, and the nuances that come with creating new music that isn’t just a blatant rip-off. Yotuma has been throwing down heaviness for four years now with an album and an EP under its belt before this, yet it’s the entirety of their second album, “The Final Void”, that showcases a devilishly intelligent understanding of death metal in a way that feels invigorating, oppressive, and truly intoxicating. Intricately woven with riffs and rhythms that constantly pull you ever further into this swirling chaos of flesh and light, these nine tracks are nigh on formidable as the addictive nature of “The Final Void” quickly makes itself known and only grows in power as this eviscerating album progresses. While still capable of throwing down impressively complex songwriting and dirges of overwhelming intensity via solos or passages that briefly touch upon the more progressive reaches of death metal, it’s in keeping things relatively simple that Yotuma excels to dramatic effect.

A creation that chugs just as much as it weaves, making for a vicious tapestry of death metal that’s damn near undeniable in its intensity and macabre visions. Locking you in place and breaking your mind much like that of a Lovecraftian horror, Yotuma’s power is already not something to underestimate for it is damn near every given aspect of what’s only their second offering that they display an intelligent approach to death metal that’s as effective as it is satisfying. “The Final Void” is the start of a new era for Yotuma, making this band immediately one that we should keep a close eye on.

“The Final Void” releases on September 12th via Bölverk Records!

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

LIKE Yotuma on Facebook here.

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