It’s been quite a while since we’ve last heard from our old friends in Cemetery Filth. The Atlanta based outfit dropped one of the best death metal albums of 2020 and the decade thus far in the form of their debut full length, Dominion. What followed were the inevitable personnel changes that plague most bands these days. Drummer Chris McDonald exited in 2021, followed by the departure of bassist Devin Kelley in 2023. In their place is Tristan Payne and Evie Austin respectively, who join founding members Maddie Kilpatrick (guitars, vocals) and Ryan Guinn (guitars) on their long awaited follow up release, Senses of Detriment.
Following in the tradition of the “mini-LPs” of yesteryear, Senses consists of 5 songs, 4 originals and 1 cover, that really encapsulate the spirit of Cemetery Filth, while also perhaps foreshadowing what’s to come. Although the lineup has changed since Dominion, the band’s dedication to unleashing utterly relentless death metal that sounds like it was written and recorded in ’89 hasn’t. In the case of Senses, I can’t emphasize the latter enough. The sonic aura of old school death metal that dominates this short and anything but sweet affair should be enough to get the heart of any headbanger pumping like Pete Sandoval’s double bass on Terrorizer’s World Downfall.
The opening “Intrepid Ways” picks up right where Dominion left off, conjuring that rabid late ’80s Death/Morbid Angel sound, albeit with a hint of technical flourish in the vein of Atheist. These technical leanings are explored further as the release progresses, making for an intriguing listen to say the least. However, fear not purists; this is not technicality for the sake of pretentiousness. Rather one picks up a sense of the disorientation of Hellwitch, demo era Cynic, and the aforementioned Atheist. “Cyclocognition” keeps things fast and evil, its riffage boasting a brutal thrash aggression, while the tempos switchover sporadically without coming off as choppy. The guitars on this one conjure the arcane unease of prime Trey Azagthoth.
The early tech death vibe hinted at on the opener are fully explored on the chaotically schizophrenic title track, that manages to be as unpredictable as it is catchy. I know that description sounds like an oxymoron, but it needs to be heard to be believed. The musicianship throughout the entire affair, but especially on “Senses”, is nothing short of superlative. Thanks to the aforementioned old school mix/production, the new rhythm section of Payne and Austin shine alongside Kilpatrick and Guinn, these four mastermind musicians playing off of each other. “Cosmic Wraiths” rounds out the originals in pummeling fashion, incorporating slow tempos and face-melting solos amidst the Autopsy-esque death metal assault, before the band barrages us with a faithful rendition of the early ’90s Death classic, “Vacant Planets”.
Those who know me are aware that I’m not the biggest fan of Death post-Spiritual Healing. That said, those songs are no easy task to play, and “Vacant Planets” is no exception. Cemetery Filth executes it with ease, especially the guitar solos, which are most important of all. Hearing them tackle this cut makes us excited to see where they’ll go with this direction on album #2. Hopefully it isn’t another 4 years until its release, but if it is, Senses of Detriment will most definitely hold us over until then.
8 out of 10
Label: Rotted Life Records
Genre: Death Metal
For fans of: Death, Morbid Angel, Atheist
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