You don’t come to the music of Caveman Cult for emotional nuance or involving melodies. No one searching for hope or inspiration will be welcomed with open arms. Even those who seek a catharsis for angst, anguish, or despair will find no therapy here. But if explosive typhoons of fury, violence, and destructive madness are what you’re after, perhaps as a way of getting all that out of your own system without landing in jail, or perhaps as a way of re-fueling for another charge ahead when you feel utterly spent, Caveman Cult have what you need — in spades.

I’ve been following and writing about the music of these Floridians since discovering their debut EP Rituals of Savagery six years ago. I admit that I’ve got a taste for no-holds-barred blackened death metal, and anyone who recoils at that brand of metallic extremity won’t suddenly change their minds upon listening to Caveman Cult‘s forthcoming second album, Blood and Extinction.

But on the other hand, contrary to what some less receptive listeners may think, war metal is not homogenous. There are gradations of quality even within a sub-genre so single-mindedly devoted to rage and ruination, and the grip of Caveman Cult has steadily strengthened over time because they’ve steadily honed their blades, avoiding the listener-numbness that can come from relentless saturation bombing.

Their new album, and their first on the NWN! Productions label, is yet another step up in that progress toward a pinnacle of primal barbarity. It includes the work of a new second guitarist, and was recorded by the band themselves, and we have a further sign of what it holds in store through our premiere of the new album track “Instrumento de Ira“. Continue reading »