(written by Islander)

It’s rare to find debut albums that seemingly come out of nowhere which are as coherently conceived and masterfully rendered as the forthcoming first album of the Helsinki death metal band Grave Hex. Although the band only came together in 2024, the album makes it obvious that they quickly coalesced in what they wanted to do and knew almost instinctively how to do it.

What they chose to do is reflected in both the name they picked for themselves and the title of the album — Vermian Death — which is to say, they chose to make primal, worm-ridden death metal that’s equal parts stupendously crushing, hideously festering, and chillingly spectral.

They’re not reinventing any wheels, but they’re really, really good at the gargantuan and gruesome artform they’ve embraced — as you’ll have the chance to experience for yourselves through our full streaming premiere of Vermian Death today, in advance of its August 22nd release by Night Terrors Records and Cavernous Records (two labels whose names fit very well with this music). Continue reading »