I love a good split release. There have been so many good pairings over the years, and I have lost count at this point. I was recently asked to review this blood-soaked effort from two distinct-sounding death metal bands. The commonality between them is horror movie themes mixed with passages of proggy guitar-driven sounds. I’m not sure who’s idea it was to bring Necronomicon Ex Mortis and Bloodfeast Ritual together like this for a collision course of progressive ferocity and cinematic horror, but I bloody well love it! Each band contributed three songs apiece and everyone of them is banger guaranteed to whet your appetite.

The first three songs from Bloodfeast Ritual are hard-hitting monstrosities from a young band displaying such technical brilliance. The music shifts tonally; incorporating doomy passages and old-school death appeal thrown in for good measure. If you read the press release, they are compared to Blood Incantation and Atheist. However, I will go one step further and say they remind me very much of Temple Of Void. I personally think that is a better comparison. Regardless of who they sound like, the opening number, ‘Soul Annihilation’, is a sludgy and savage piece. The guitar work spirals out wave after wave, and the vocals of David Ainsworth are shrilly and menacing. The second track, ‘Decaying Humanity’, is a nine-minute opus leaning heavily into the progressive realm of sombre and terse tones, marked by a handful of challenging tempo changes. This is definitely the standout track, in my opinion, but the remaining track, ‘The Music Of Eric Zahn’, is no slouch either, given it’s a short and creepy instrumental with horror soundtrack vibes.

The following three songs from Necronomicon Ex Mortis are equally stunning pieces from a band formed in 2022. The guitar work exhibits tons of shredding and virtuosic playing, with the direct intention of going straight for the jugular. I dig the fact the band derives their name from the dreaded Book Of The Dead from the Evil Dead movies. The opening track, “Bound In Human Flesh”, is a true ripper that brings Slayer vibes, combining rabid vocals and meaty riffs. The solo is electrifying and sounds razor sharp, packed into three minutes. The middle track, ‘Unspeakable Swamp Creature’, is a fucking romp of brilliant fretwork aided by a very addictive chorus. The guitars stand out, bringing one of the catchiest death metal songs ever to my ears. The last song, ‘Misery’, veers into the realm of thrash metal with a catchy chug and a crushing solo. The song pays homage to Stephen King’s novel Misery, and let me tell you, this one is a keeper!

Man, this split tore my head off. Both bands are impressive for youngsters getting into the scene and delivering a fresh take on death metal. If you like proggy-intensity and mutually assured brutalism, this split will satiate your needs, especially for horror fans. Heck, the cover art alone is a jaw-dropping piece and is a fitting tribute to the music found on this split. Don’t hesitate to get this one here!