Review NECKBREAKKER “Within The Viscera”

Wohoo. This album doesn’t allow you to slowly slide into the songs and sounds, because it’s a brutal blast that starts “Within the Viscera”. But let’s start from the very beginning.

Neckbreakker is the band releasing their debut album “Within the Viscera”. The guys started in 2020 as Nakkeknaekker, which is the Danish equivalent of Neckbreakker with the two ‘k’s being a reminder of their roots. The group decided to go more international when it comes to the moniker and not only did they change the band name. The guys also signed a contract with Nuclear Blast Records, with the debut album being the first delivery from this collaboration.

Neckbreakker is one of those young and hungry extreme metal bands from Denmark. Baest is another example, and it’s no surprise that the bands have already toured together.

“Within the Viscera” is a storming album with roots in death metal. What strikes you the first time you listen to the album is the massive groove that comes with each of the songs. While frontman Christoffer Kofoed barks out the vocals, it’s the guitar duo of Joakim Kaspersen and Johan Lundvig that delivers sheer riff power. The groove, however, comes from Sebastian Knoblauch and Anton ‘Hajn’ Bregendorf, who both do their job with workhorse power.

Basically, you can drop the needle wherever you want on this album, because you will always be rewarded with grim and savage metal. The guys describe the pressure they felt while working on the album as they wanted to deliver something really good. I can say that you can’t hear the load they carried on their shoulders and this debut really is a mission accomplished.

What’s great to see is the songwriting talent. Neckbreakker manage to put their own spin on a genre that doesn’t leave much extra room for innovation. The fact though that their effort include songs like the 6-minute “Unholy Inquisition” shows the versatility of their approach to music. The song is a roaring death metal piece and even though it’s quite long you won’t get bored for a second. And there is a consistency when it comes to quality, as the last two songs can easily handle a comparison with the previous Neckbreakker songs.

“Within the Viscera” is a brilliant and blasting death metal release from a band that follows their heart more than commercial interests. It’s one of those young bands that are passionate about extreme metal and have found their own little niche. “Within the Viscera” is one of the best, if not even the best debut album of the year.