MOLDER - Vanished Cadavers (12" LP)

Molder’s debut full-length Vanished Cadavers is a triumphant slab of old-school death metal grime, brimming with bone-scraping riffs, gut-churning grooves, and just enough off-kilter charm to make it stand out from the pile of OSDM worship. Hailing from Illinois, the trio—Aaren Pantke (guitar/vocals), Dominic Vaia (bass), and Kyle Poole (drums)—carve out a sound that’s both reverential and refreshingly energized, channeling the murk of early Autopsy with the stomp of Obituary and the filthy groove of Cianide.

Right out of the gate, opener “Granulated Chunks” sets the tone with a crushing, mid-paced assault, immediately drawing comparisons to the heaviest cuts of Scream Bloody Gore while nodding to the no-frills nastiness of the underground's best. Pantke’s vocals howl and seethe with a Tardy-esque flair, dragging each syllable through the dirt in a way that perfectly matches the record’s grim aesthetic.

Though Vanished Cadavers is deeply rooted in the death metal traditions of the late '80s and early '90s, it doesn’t feel stale. Instead, Molder injects a surprising sense of momentum through rhythmic variation, punked-out aggression, and smart use of guest appearances—most notably Mike Perun of Cianide on the rabid “Act of Revenge,” which adds a layer of Chicago death metal lineage to the already lethal mix.

Tracks like “The Sweet Taste of Death” and “Feasting on Dirt” swing with infectious, almost thrashy cadences, while “Incipient Disease” slows to a sickly crawl, showcasing the band’s ability to dig into doomier, atmospheric territory without losing their edge. Vaia’s bass takes a rare moment in the spotlight during the latter, adding a needed layer of character and low-end heft that balances the otherwise guitar-driven attack.

Production-wise, Molder opts for a thick, organic sound that’s heavy without feeling over-polished. The tones are grisly but clear, allowing the band’s songwriting to shine through the grime. Gruesomegraphx’s stark black-and-white artwork is the perfect visual pairing—equal parts horror and humor, like a deranged cartoon of corpse-digging debauchery brought to life.

Closing the album with a blistering cover of Asphyx’s “Serenade in Lead” not only pays homage to their influences but also reinforces Molder’s capability to hold their own among the genre’s storied elite.

At just over half an hour, Vanished Cadavers doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s raw, catchy, and confidently executed—a bold first step that doesn’t reinvent death metal, but instead reminds listeners why this music still rips when played with conviction. Molder may have emerged from the grave of the past, but with this debut, they’ve proven they’re more than just another reanimated corpse.