Gruesome‘s connection to the sound of death metal pioneers Death isn’t something new. With a stable lineup since 2014, Gruesome has released two albums related to the first and iconic Death albums. With “Silent Echoes”, the band continues to pay tribute to the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner and the sound of Death.
This time, Gruesome took “Human” as inspiration for their third album. Their goal wasn’t to copy the legendary fourth Death album, but rather to transport the spirit of this genre-defining release to the present.
“Silent Echoes” is also a tribute to Sean Reinert. The drummer, who played with Death and Cynic, passed away in 2020 and now it is Gus Rios, a close friend of Reinert’s, added a personal touch to the band’s latest effort.
While the brutal death metal of previous albums defined Death, “Human” laser-focused on a more progressive and technically advanced sound. Gruesome faced this challenge and turned it into an album that sounds great from start to finish.
The album opens with an acoustic intro to the song “Condemned Identity,” followed by a massive death metal blast. The song shows that Gruesome is more than just a Death cover band by finding the right fusion of aggressiveness and technical skill. The tribute band draws energy from honoring a legendary death metal band and from being a band themselves. This combination works well, making “Silent Echoes” the most advanced Gruesome release yet.
Like “Human,” “Silent Echoes” also includes an instrumental. The spotlight is on the guitar in this well-crafted instrumental piece titled “Voice Within the Void (Astral Oceans).” This album features some well-executed twists, such as the emphasis on a grooving bassline and the layered middle section. These elements recall the style of great death metal. The song’s atmosphere is notable, and the vocals are integral to its impact.
Gruesome is not Death, and “Silent Echoes” isn’t “Human”. Nonetheless, the third full-length album from the four-piece band is an old-school death metal album that, on the one hand, pays tribute to the work of a creative musician and iconic band. Secondly, it is well-crafted metal that comes with a pleasing factor. Immersing oneself in these eight death metal compositions is a straightforward endeavor, one that will undoubtedly engender unbridled fervor.
Tracklist:
- Condemned Identity
- A Darkened Window
- Frailty
- Shards
- Silent Echoes
- Voice within the Void (Astral Oceans)
- Fragments of Psyche
- Reason Denied
Label: Relapse Records
Genre: Death Metal
Release Date EU: June 6th, 2025
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