About once a year, I find a technical thrash album I utterly adore. 2023 graced me with Xoth, and 2024’s Dissimulator debut was my favorite album of the year. In 2025, the premiere thrash platter belongs to Warsaw, Poland’s Species. Unfairly or not, thrash is an oft-maligned genre accused of being unserious and trite or stale and stuck in the past. On Changelings, Species’ sophomore offering, the band nimbly threads the needle between paying homage to thrash’s heyday while shaping a fresh sound that’s enchanting yet familiar.

Changelings confidently walks the elusive path between influence and originality. From the opening moments of “Inspirit Creation,” Species treats listeners to hooks stretched taut between early Testament pluck (think “Burnt Offering”) and Countdown and Youthanasia-era Megadeth. It’s a curious combination, as The Legacy has a distinctly unpolished edge, while early-to-mid-90s Megadeth condenses the sheer technicality of Rust in Peace into glossy, efficient leads. Changelings takes the above reference points and channels the grit and chops of bands like Chemical Breath and Obliveon1 to economically distill its riffcraft into thrashy white lightning. The tight musicianship and melody-countermelody tandem of guitar and bass smack of Rush, Cynic, and Mekong Delta, but don’t let all the influences fool you. Species evokes these bands and others, but Changelings is no mere retread. The album glimmers with invention, where each track possesses its own devilishly charming character and mood.

Changelings by Species

Following in the footsteps of esteemed power trios like Rush and Coroner, Species exhibits an acumen for composing dense and exciting music that feels natural and organic. Though bursting with talent, no moment on Changelings serves to grandstand Species’ technical wizardry. Guitarist Michał Kępka wends his way through the album, unleashing snazzy flourishes and palm-muted muscle as songs demand. His licks are sharp and precise, yet Kępka imbues an improvisational aura to his axework that keeps the music alluringly unpredictable (“The Essence,” “Terror Unknown”). Bassist Piotr Drobina delights as he plays beside Kępka while laying down vocals. It’s an impressive feat, considering the ground he covers on the bottom end. From octave hopping (“Born of Stitch and Flesh”) to beefy bass power chords (“Inspirit Creation”), Drobina is the perfect complement to Kępka for Species’ give-and-take stringed approach. Meanwhile, Przemysław Hampelski provides the rhythmic foundation for the band. He’s not as overtly ostentatious as Peart or Hoglan, but Hampelski impresses throughout Changelings, from laying down the groove-laced intro of “The Essence” to the simmering timekeeping on “Born of Stitch and Flesh.” All told, Species constructs an intricate musical experience where distinct ideas meld together to navigate an undeniably engaging aural exploit.

In a year where thrash’s harvest produced scant high-quality yields, Species delivered a cash crop of bangers.2 Changelings’ magic stems from the band’s penchant to zag when I expect them to zig. Finding moments to subvert listeners’ expectations keeps momentum and interest high, such as when the musical tension builds to an assumed climax, only to break to an understated solo before lurching back into high-intensity fulfillment. Species dazzles in this space, ever on the prowl to sink their claws further into your sonic psyche. In an efficient forty minutes, Changelings carves out an undeniable and relevant voice in a genre plagued by criticisms of stagnation and lack of innovation. If you crave music with originality, brawn, and fun, Species is a mandatory destination in your 2025 tour of metal.

Tracks to Check Out: “Inspirit Creation,” “The Essence,” “Born of Stitch and Flesh,” “Biological Masterpiece”

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OMNIVORTEX Streams New Single 'Grave Upon Grave' Featuring XOTH's TYLER STURGILL

https://627e81c5fee2d202a5df846c.paas-p.smehost.net/video/omnivortex-streams-new-single-grave-upon-grave-featuring-xoths-tyler-sturgill

#OMNIVORTEX #XOTH #StreamsNewSingle #GraveUponGrave #single #EP #MetalInjection #metal #music

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OMNIVORTEX Streams New Single 'Grave Upon Grave' Featuring XOTH's TYLER STURGILL

https://metalinjection.net/video/omnivortex-streams-new-single-grave-upon-grave-featuring-xoths-tyler-sturgill

#OMNIVORTEX #XOTH #StreamsNewSingle #GraveUponGrave #single #EP #MetalInjection #metal #music

Vittra – Intense Indifference Review

By Angry Metal Guy

Two months ago, I saw a post on social media announcing Vittra’s sophomore album, Intense Indifference. The name struck me as funny. “A bit like a Radical Neutrality Party1 or my side-project Exaggerated Understatement,” I quipped quippily while jonesing for that sweet rush of dopamine that comes along with likes. But once my fix was had, I hastily forgot about them. As luck would have it, in this age when melodic death metal releases are few, far between, and often so drenched in reverb that it’s hard to remember that this band is playing death metal, Vittra was my only choice for a melodic death metal record this week. And so, the obvious, hacky hook for which I would shame a n00b needs to be asked: “Is it just a clever name?”

Vittra—hailing from Kolbäck, Sweden (population 2,108)—plays a very Swedish style of death metal. From the opening minutes, Vittra impresses with sticky hooks, thrashy energy, and the kind of melodic death that I associate with bands like Æther Realm, Mors Principium Est, or Xoth more than the stylings of the Insomnia or Omnia Gathera of the world. Vittra benefits from the sense that they are young, hungry, and probably deeply bored in the middle of nowhere in Västmanland. And so, in those long dark winter nights, they have sharpened their riffs, their hooks, and developed a manic energy. And Intense Indifference is 33 minutes of the sharpest riffs, the best harmonies, and a caged animal energy that reminds listeners that Kreator is better than Anthrax.2

Intense Indifference is a record with impeccable energy—unimpeachable vibes. Calling back to the legendary “GO!” on “Slaughter of the Soul,” opener “MOFO” kicks off with a not-yet-legendary, but pretty rad, “MOTHERFUCKER LET’S GO!” that sets the table. And these motherfuckers don’t let up once they get going. Each song on here oozes with the energy and hunger of a young band with a love of riffs and guitar-driven, thrashtastic death metal. From the Dark Tranquillity riffs of “Reign Supreme,” Soilwork’s slick sensibilities on “Burn(h)er,” or a bit of Carnosus/Black Dahlia Murder on “The Leap,” you can go through and pick out all the ways that they synthesize the best of what melodic death has given us over the last 30 years and cooked it down into something you want to freebase.

But Vittra’s vibe offers a unique flavor that works well here, while providing ample promise for the future. These guys seem to have a deep appreciation for Americana, classic rock ‘n’ roll, and blues. And while I struggle with that stuff myself, somehow these Swedish weirdos make it work. “Transylvanian Buffet” transports you to the honkytonk on the piano, while Johan Murmester and new guitarist Lars Elofsson genuinely impress with acoustic blues on “Soul Searcher.” And throughout, there are moments when hard turns toward blue notes or start-and-stop writing evoke the genre’s influence on Megadeth or AC/DC.3 These bits are few and far between, but they keep things creative and fresh, and you can bet your ass that there’s a lot of room for growth around them in the future.

The problem with Intense Indifference is that it flies by too quickly. At 33 minutes, 2:06 of which is spent on a cover of Slayer’s classic “Piece by Piece,” the record definitely fits within the 45-minute rule. But so little original music (covers don’t count, dudes) is a bit of a disappointment, given that the quality on here is stellar. Between the band’s two albums, they don’t even have a headlining set. And that’s a shame, because they have the kind of swagger we all love. And since the album sounds great, thanks to a Simon Johansson (Wolf, Memory Garden, now apparently Soilwork) recording, a Johan Murmester (Vittra) production, and a Lawrence Mackrory (FKÜ, Blackscape) mastering job, the listener wants more. And not just more bass.4 More great thrashy melodeath goodness!

Intense Indifference may be a kind of stupid name, but it’s also a better-than-kinda-good record, and the band is clearly better than this record. Right now, this slots easily into Listurnalia considerations and is one of the better melodic death metal records I’ve heard in a while. Sure, if you’re allergic to Slaughter of the Soul, you might call it tired.5 But I just call it very, very good.

LET’S FUCKIN’ GO!

Rating: Very Good!
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s CBR MP3
Label: Self-released
Websites: Vittra Official | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
Out Worldwide: September 19th, 2025

#2025 #35 #ACDC #ÆtherRealm #Carnosus #DarkTranquillity #Insomnium #IntenseIndifference #Megadeth #MelodicDeathMetal #MorsPrincipiumEst #OmniumGatherum #Review #Sep25 #Slayer #Soilwork #TheBlackDahliaMurder #ThrashMetal #Vittra #Xoth

Atomic Witch – Death Etiquette Review

By Tyme

Cleveland, Ohio’s death thrash quintet, Atomic Witch, began as Bulk & Skull in 2012—a nod to the comic relief duo from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers—before changing their moniker in 2016. After releasing a few singles and EPs, Atomic Witch partnered with Redefining Darkness Records and producer Dan “The Man” Swanö for their debut album, Crypt of Sleepless Malice, in 2022, which created a splash in the death thrash pool with its visceral riffs, horror-themed lyrics, and completely unhinged vocals. Three years of lessons learned later, Atomic Witch and new producer Noah Buchanan (Nunslaughter, Solipsist) at Cleveland’s Mercinary Studios have reopened the crypt to unleash sophomore effort, Death Etiquette, upon the phantasmic masses. Do these Midwest marauders have what it takes to infect a crowded scene even further, or should we stake this vampire’s heart now and slam the coffin door shut?

As Death Etiquette comes not only crashing through but completely mangling the gate, it’s clear Atomic Witch hasn’t tweaked their formula. In just over two minutes, album opener “Morgue Rat” packs everything Atomic Witch does well into one brief, bristling bruiser. Frenetically furious riffing melded with drummer Nick Amato’s (Axioma) rolls and fills hit you right between the beady eyes before the track settles into a nice, mid-paced chug-a-lug. Like Stallone turning his trucker hat around in Over the Top, when singer Nick Martinis pulls his neon green ski mask down over his face, shit’s about to get real, and when he delivers the very cheeky Drowning Pool-ish line “Let the bodies hit the morgue,” it’s also clear Atomic Witch don’t take themselves too seriously. New bassist David McJunkins’ low-end rumblings, in conjunction with Amato’s battery, keep the frantic riffs and twisted solos of Jesse Shattuck and Jonah Meister in check. Death Etiquette delivers short and sweet thrash first and foremost, falling somewhere amidst the sonic Bermuda triangle of Slayer, Forbidden, and Xoth. At the same time, there are sprinkles of Sentient Horror-like death (“Of Flesh and Chrome”) and a little bit of black metallicism (“Dream Rot”) boiling in Atomic Witch’s cauldron. Performances reign supreme here, and it’s the vocal pyrotechnics that take center stage.

Eschewing the punkier, more straightforward approach of fellow Midwest acts like Midnight and Wraith, Atomic Witch differentiate through the crazed vocal tandem of Martinis and Shattuck. Betwixt the two, Martinis carries the bulk of the responsibility, and his snarly screams—reminiscent of Havok’s David Sanchez—bring some extra lethality to the material and highlight the catchy choruses (“Morgue Rat,” “Worms and Dirt”). While the completely bonkers, high-pitched, full-throated power falsettos—landing within Rob Halford, King Diamond, and Mark Osegueda territory—and deep, guttural growls of Shattuck serve as an insane accompaniment to Martinis’ raspy delivery (“Death Edging (Come to the Light)”). Both coalesce perfectly on my favorite track, and album closer “Vicious Mistress,” a Venom song title if ever there was one. Carrying over from the debut’s “Love Curse,” the track features a swaggering groove composed of bendy chords and flirty riffs, the high-low vocal trade-offs accentuating the hectic solos and furious instrumentals with a romping effect.

Death Etiquette benefits from Noah Buchanan’s rawer production. As masterful as Swanö is, I found the mix on Crypt of Sleepless Malice too mutedly polished. And while Atomic Witch may have sacrificed some DR in the process, the slightly louder mix works for me with this material. A testament to cohesiveness, the songwriting on Death Etiquette is tighter and more focused too, as Shattuck and Meister continue to refine their ability to craft engaging music. And while even the shorter tracks feel fully resolved, despite their brevity, the twenty-seven-minute runtime did leave me wanting a little more meat on my plate.

Atomic Witch continue to make a name for themselves in the death thrash space, and Death Etiquette is another solid step forward. And while they’re not doing anything too groundbreaking or boundary-pushing, these two first noteworthy releases indicate a band embarking on a decently consistent career. I suppose only time will tell. Atomic Witch seems like a fun band, and I found Death Etiquette a fun listen. I’d certainly opt to catch them, and their ski-masked frontman, live should they make a stop anywhere near my stomping grounds. I’ll be spinning Death Etiquette more as this humid summer trudges on and will be keeping my eyes peeled for what Atomic Witch does next.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320kbps mp3
Label: Redefining Darkness Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: July 25th, 2025

#2025 #30 #AmericanMetal #AtomicWitch #DeathEtiquette #DeathMetal #Forbidden #Jul25 #Midnight #RedefiningDarknessRecords #Review #SentientHorror #Slayer #ThrashMetal #Wraith #Xoth

Some flamencore for you:

#Impureza: Alcázares

https://album.link/i/1806381304

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FFO #NarcoticWasteland #NearDeathCondition #Xoth

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XOTH Announces Exogalactic Actuality U.S. Tour

https://bravewords.com/news/xoth-announces-exogalactic-actuality-u-s-tour/

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🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #SeekAndDestroy

Xoth:
🎵 Saga of the Blade

#Xoth

https://xoth.bandcamp.com/track/saga-of-the-blade

https://open.spotify.com/track/0bsvY0Fw4zamQIhSM1v1TW