SPLIT REVIEW: Feral / Crawl – Made As Those Who Are No Longer Alive

Swedish Death Metallers FERAL and CRAWL both unleashed savage albums back in 2018, now they join forces to put a chainsaw through the world. This split shall be unleashed by Transcending Obscurity Records on September 22nd.

Feral punch into life with monolithic grooves and tight riffing, enshrouded in that HM-2 grit that cuts like a rusted blade while the drums pummel with equal ferocity. There is such a tastefully putrid way they construct their grooves which are remarkably unique for a band who stick to the old school methods with such loyalty. The vocal spew is an equally violent affair, giving the monstrous assault an equally inhuman voice. The sense of killer songwriting from their previous albums has definitely been held to such a high standard on these new offerings as they belt out bile with visceral hooks at every moment. Every second is pure stomping carnage that does not relent and sits comfortably in worshipping the Swedish masters of old, paying them worthy tribute. With enough aggression to annihilate all in their path and some eldritch atmospherics, these short bursts of brutality have it all. Total decay and destruction! This dual devastation from Feral will certainly leave all fans of Swedish Death Metal salivating for more, while being more than enough to engorge the morbid spirit in their own right.

Crawl follow up with some crunchy bass and feedback before their grinding warfare launches its crusty viciousness upon you. Their hideously heavy riffing and tight drum work backdrop truly maniacal vocals and give the taste of one of Sweden’s most furious bands around. Tempo changes drop us from thrashing madness to some of the most headbang-inducing grooves of doomy death one could hope for. If you want your neck to remain functional, avoid these tracks, because these high speed concoctions of charnel rot will unleash all rage and fury trapped within until you lose control. Much like Feral, they keep the old school Swedish Death Metal tone and style alive while giving their own injections of uniqueness to make every second worthwhile and exciting. Another triumph of twisted terror.

If you adore old school Swedish Death Metal, this split is a no brainer. Two of the finest bands keeping the style alive with new offerings that rival each other in heaviness and feel to achieve the most gloriously grotesque balance. A gruesome, horrific victory.

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Rating: 8 out of 10.