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Beyond the Catacombs have unleashed a ferocious death metal odyssey with Interstellar Burial, a release that bridges the vast expanse of science fiction and sheer, unrelenting brutality. While many bands exploring this thematic territory often veer into technical or progressive realms, Beyond the Catacombs opt for a more visceral approach, delivering a punishing blend of guttural heaviness and otherworldly menace.
The title track sets the tone with a dense, meaty sound, its cosmic elements woven subtly into the background. From there, Infected takes the reins, a lumbering behemoth of chunky riffs and bilious growls that will leave fans of raw, old-school brutality thoroughly satisfied. Then comes Spectral Corpses, a track where aggressive, guitar-driven chaos reigns supreme, its relentless energy strewn with the metaphorical remains of its victims.
Too Many Tentacles is a percussion-driven skull-crusher, its pounding rhythm underscoring an eerie atmosphere evocative of slimy, ancient entities lurking in the void. The ominous tone reaches its peak with Darken the Sun, a slow-burning masterpiece of creeping dread that masterfully builds tension without fully releasing it, leaving an unsettling hollowness in its wake. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to channel pure, threatening power into their music.
The penultimate track, Assimilation of the Lesser Bioforms, flips the script with a short, blistering assault on the senses, proving Beyond the Catacombs can deliver sharp, high-impact shocks as effortlessly as sprawling epics. The closing piece, Gravitational Collapse, is a monolithic finale—a sci-fi-infused death metal juggernaut that obliterates all in its path and cements the band’s place as a force to be reckoned with.
Interstellar Burial is an impressively crafted and devastatingly heavy release. Beyond the Catacombs have carved out a niche that deserves far more attention. Fans of unrelenting death metal with a cosmic twist will find this album essential.
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