Moribundis Grim

One of the most important death metal bands of all time Necrophagia lost their leader Killjoy back in 2018. Thankfully some final ideas were unearthed by Serge, Shawn and Jake who enlisted the help of Incantation frontman John McEntee. This final performance of Killjoy is obviously mandatory listening for any maniac! Out via Time To Kill Records on May 10th.

Naturally the mood is instantly the horror soundtrack that Necrophagia has been crafting for so many years, instantly pulling us into the release with those spooky and sinister vibes. The haunting guitar work and synths atop heavy drums, building the tension gloriously. The whiplash grooves of the punishing guitars instantly feels like the band always has; revolting and brutal. Killjoy’s last vocal recordings are utilised alongside John’s and both sound utterly savage. Meanwhile the riffs are utterly monolithic. Each sonic blow is dealt with the psychotic brutality of a killer on the prowl, while the atmosphere is eldritch, filling the air with a dusty smell of decomposing flesh. You cannot get much more haunting than a posthumous record, and this one feels like it’s going to be a crusher based on the first moments.

The mid-tempo viciousness and blasting mania blend into the more eerie moments seamlessly. Proving the band is still focussed on the legacy of morbidity that Killjoy started, every song feels marvellously true to the bands vision. There is a disjointed feeling to some of them due to the difference in recording and approach that can sometimes make this album feel more like a compilation, but does it really matter? What counts here is that these putrid pulverisers get to see the light of day and us rabid fans get some last Necrophagia morsels to feast upon. Mixing unreleased songs with re-worked classics, there is so much ferocity and many moments for us fans to revel in the legacy of the band both historical and present. Most importantly of all; everything is done with a gruesome grace that feels respectful and done with integrity.

From the withering doomy moments to the full-force violence of their sledgehammering blasts, Necrophagia ensure the last record with their name on it is going to be packed with all of the lurking dread and evil we could hope for. “Season Of The Dead” is possibly the most underrated album in the genre in my opinion but this band has never faltered from the path of true horror and this piece of finality and closure ensures that shall never change. Right until its final moments “Moribundis Grim” feels like a terrific treasure-trove of almost-lost Necrophagia goodies that it is a wonder to unearth. Make sure not to miss this as it really is a one-of-a-kind release and for its couple of flaws a really triumphant and magical bit of closure that is seldom had when a legend is deceased.

Honouring the memory of one of death metal’s most important figures was a tall task. The songwriting and tracks here are definitely solid and enjoyable, proving the band can even work through the realm of phantasms and spectres. Mortality is at the whim of Necrophagia who gave us one last cry from the crypt. This can’t have been an easy album to make and yet in so many ways it succeeds. Of course that sepulchral feeling that Killjoy would bring to the table ebbs and flows as much as the sounds on the songs, which can be jarring but overall this thing still rules. The songs are solid, they feel evil and I am over the moon to hear them. Huge kudos to the band for putting this together, their efforts really are appreciated.

Written for www.nattskog.wordpress.com