EP Review: Sickbay – Brutal Existence (Redefining Darkness Records)

Initially formed around the year 2000 out of the twisted morass of the Hudson Valley scene, Sickbay are a hardcore fuelled death metal band bringing true “core” back to NYDM. With a sound that owes as much to Hatebreed and Youth of Today as it does Obituary and Suffocation, the band have been on a warpath throughout the Northeast sharing the stage with everyone from Immolation and Cro-Mags to All Out War and Terrorizer.

As the coronavirus pandemic raged on, Sickbay went to work and the result is their latest EP, Brutal Existence! This EP marks the start of a new chapter of the band being the band’s first official label release, and with it, a re-imagining of their logo and overall sound. It will be released on February 18th, 2022 via Redefining Darkness Records.

Brutal Existence indeed. Sickbay live it and express it in short order on this 4-track EP. They want to make a statement and do so with aplomb. Spitting and snarling from the immediate off with the savage heaviness and angry intent of Die. A mix of methodical thumping instruments, bursts of fury and guttural hatred.

Talking of which, Fueled by Hatred is the embodiment of vehemence and Sickbay take us to sickeningly heavy depths. The guitars growl and scream, the percussion is mired in mud and the vocals are bringing up all manner of filth. One of the most brutal tracks you will hear this year.

Although Stench of Death isn’t far off that bar too. Being a crunchy and crushing blast of death-infused metal. Before Aggressive Betrayer takes things down to doomier levels with a really sick level of intensity. Everything about these tracks makes you feel a little queasy.

Utter filth in the best way possible.

Sickbay – Brutal Existence Full Track Listing:

1. Die
2. Fueled by Hatred
3. Stench of Death
4. Aggressive Betrayer

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