Album Review: Spiritworld – Deathwestern (Century Media Records)

Spiritworld caused a stir in 2020 with the release of their debut album, ‘Pagan Rhythms’ and frontman Stu Folsom’s accompanying book of short western horror stories ‘Godlessness’. Now Spiritworld forge new ground with the release of ‘Deathwestern’. Out on the November 25th, 2022 via Century Media Records.

For a band that has been around for such a short amount of time, Spiritworld have made one hell of a splash already. Their debut album was lauded worldwide and it looks likely that this follow-up will at least match it. An eleven-track album of imaginative metallic hardcore, thrash and death metal with a ‘western’ twist. It’s as fun and exciting as it sounds and the title track (after a short intro called Mojave Bloodlust) will get the blood well and truly pumping.

The frenzy of head-banging and circle-pitting mayhem has started and there’s no stopping the momentum of Spiritworld now. Relic of Damnation is pure thrash fire with hardcore-style vocals, Purified in Violence ferociousness is eye-watering and stomach churning, and U L C E R has the guitars screaming as though the world is on fire. A track that also features a head-banger of a breakdown.

The manic heavy energy is so appealing throughout and Spiritworld don’t mess with the formula they have perfected too much. The focus is on aggressive sounds and it continues to delight as there is so much creative horror to the music. A track like Committee of Buzzards is one of the most head-pounding tracks of all. Which does make the melodic intro of The Heretic Butcher something of a surprise. It’s a brief chance to catch your breath though as this track erupts and embodies everything great about this band. Namely thrashing riffs and feral hardcore vocals.

With Moonlit Torture, Crucified Heathen Scum and Lujuria Satanica, Spiritworld continue to spit and snarl in beastly fashion. Taking us to the finish line in unforgettable, aggressive and savage style. Before 1000 D E A T H S sees the sun set on this impressive album in a frantic way.

From beginning to end, Spiritworld keep you engaged with Deathwestern. The dedication to no-nonsense belligerence is exciting and the variety in such heaviness keeps things interesting. It’s a massive album and fans of heavy mayhem are going to lap it up hungrily.

Links

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