RSS Feed


NECROGORE
Ectoplasmic Rape Phenomena

Awakening (2026)
Rating: 6.5/10

Featuring great cover art, this is Necrogore’s debut full-length and one which rips hard in spite of frustrating me at the same time. The frustration stems from the fact that this is just another Swedish HM-2 buzzsaw replica churned out from an Italian band who should know better

It’s a severely exhausted sound, a predictable tried and tested formula that’s rarely refreshed, give or take for a mere smattering of present bands (see Xorcist). Of course, the enjoyment comes from the chainsaw grinds that conjure chesty echoes of Carnage and Dismember, but such mimicry thwarts this from being an ever present fixture on the stereo.

Mediocrity aside, Ectoplasmic Rape Phenomena still bludgeons from start to finish with its buzzsaw bedlam. From opening slice ‘Raptured, Tortured And Chained’ to the penultimate battering ram ‘Sulphureal Morbid Corpse’ this blows away every cobweb within the ear canal, yet it also leaves me unfulfilled due to its predictable avenues. Even so, this is burly blasting death metal that’s to the point and unapologetic for it.

A siege of riffs await the audience on the gnashing yet hilariously titled ‘Leeches On My Dick’, the band repeatedly embedding a punk ethos into their guttural grooves. The vocals of bassist Luca Travaglini are very much in that recognizable Swedish gravel-lined choke as he snarls his way through the hammering ‘Forced To Eat Shit’. Drummer Christian Ciarrocchi bashes his kit in truly monstrous fashion, juddering reminders of what really stands out on this platter.

Even with predicting each turn, I did enjoy the growling ‘One Foot In The Grave’, and more so the intriguing closer, the brief yet atmospheric rendition of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 main theme. The instrumental title track is also of note with its churning, colossal groove reminiscent of Entombed, circa their album Wolverine Blues (1993).

There’s no room for thrills here, Necrogore compiles a straight up Swedish death metal tribute. No one asked for it, not many will probably want it, but Necrogore spit out ‘Offered To The Dead’ without a care, immediately dragging you through a thorn bush and littering a ravine with your badly bruised carcass. A pretty pummelling album if ever there was one.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share