Architectural Genocide: Cordyceptic Anthropomorph (2020)

In 2018 Texas-based brutal death metal act Architectural Genocide released their one and only demo, a two-track affair featuring “Force Fed Fecal Matter” and “Void Of Atrocity”, which was enough for Comatose Music to sign them, and now they are back with their debut album. Neither of those songs have made it onto here, and instead we have a new eight songs which all range from four to five minutes in length, which is plenty of time to understand what this band is all about. The line-up is Jonathan Blake (guitars), Matt Day (bass), Nat Conner (drums) and Daniel Brockway (vocals), and appears to be a first band for at least a couple of the guys which is somewhat surprising as they have hit the ground running and produced a fine debut.

One of the things really going for them is the amount of times they throw quick breaks into the music. This allows them, and the listener, to have a mental reset, and also a clever device in that it is not unusual for them to change tempo at that point. By resetting the ears like this, it means the brutality and heaviness seems even more so. There is plenty going on at the back with a very quick drummer indeed who is bashing the snare and double pass pedals, the bass locked in, and then plenty of guitar (I believe they bring in another guitarist for gigs which makes total sense), and then at the front they have Brockway. I have hbeen doing some digging and I can’t see any mention of him recording with anyone else, in which case this guy is a real find. His vocal style is perfect for this style of music, and he is totally commanding in his performance. A special mention must also be made of Davide Billia (Beheaded, Antropofagus, Hour Of Penance etc) who mixed and mastered this, and he has kept the separation while also bringing together the instruments to create a monstrous debut.

For fans of brutal death metal this is one to seek out.

Rating: 7/10