Review Summary: A brief, uncompromising slab of death metal. “End of Time” plants a firm, enticing seed of what’s to come
The force behind Tomb of Annihilation has a bright future. Ok, maybe a murky and deafening one, but you get the gist. This death metal EP gets just about everything right – a display of riffs galore and a retro vibe making for a familiar and exhilarating ten minutes. From the most potent guitar swarm of “Mind Rot” to the beefier closing act, this is pure death metal. No messing around; no bullshit.
When I commented on his first single, the project’s sole creator, David Abbruscato, modestly indicated his intention was “to just make some solid, groovy metal." Though deceptively thick with grit, I’d have to concur his mission has been accomplished. His statement reigns true not only for the headbanging opener, but the other two tracks as well. There’s a free-flowing energy here and every bellowing echo bouncing from the walls of this dungeon is answered with a meaty but melodic guitar hook. Simply put, I had a blast listening to it.
The seed planted with
End of Time will undoubtedly get your blood flowing. “Mindrot” completely rips, flirting with a more brutal pummeling sound without a single breath taken. By contrast, “The Artificer’s Box” is in less of a hurry, injecting hints of doom into some chunky guitar noodling. Whether finishing a tedious shift at work or squeezing in some exercise jams, this is just the extra dose of adrenaline you need to lift your spirits. It fits in comfortably with the seemingly unstoppable OSDM revival, which is quite the compliment given the uptick of quality the genre has seen lately.
End of Time doesn’t really have an introduction. It just kind of starts in an accelerated fury, leaving the listener no time to get strapped in for the ride. And, what more can you really ask for with such a brief assault on the ears? It’s a killer start to Abbruscato’s solo project that leaves a strong first impression of what’s to come. With a few tweaks – a bit more emphasis on the drumming and cavernous snarling – he could level up an already impressive sound. Until then, I’m proud to hit the repeat button on this dense beast.
