DYING FETUS – Make Them Beg for Death

“A leopard can’t change its spots”—but that doesn’t apply to Dying Fetus. The Baltimore bruisers haven’t lost a strand of their coat of violence and brutality. Since 1991, the band has left a trail of destruction with every release. Their earliest milestones, Purification Through Violence (1996) and Killing on Adrenaline (1998), could already stand shoulder-to-shoulder, technically and stylistically, with classics like Effigy of the Forgotten and Sermon of Mockery. That shows how far Dying Fetus would go. But their third album, Destroy the Opposition (2000), cemented their iconic status in brutal death metal. Today, alongside Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, and other legends, their name remains entrenched. It’s held high, even with the latest Make Them Beg for Death.

 

Don’t expect groundbreaking innovation, but boredom or monotony is nowhere to be found. John Gallagher (guitar/vocals), Sean Beasley (bass/vocals), and Trey Williams (drums) have been a seasoned trio since Descend into Depravity (2009). They know how to keep the tension at maximum. Their formula is a deadly mix of technical, ruthless death metal. It’s anchored by crushing grooves, seismic vocals, and blistering speed. Make Them Beg for Death is a fierce return to roots. Old-school vibes blend with a modern, punchy mix.

 

The album kicks off with Enlighten in Agony. An explosive drum assault lays down the rhythmic carpet for razor-sharp guitars, solid bass, and dual vocals. Gallagher and Beasley’s growls inject an even more sinister edge. This peaks on the follow-up, Compulsion for Cruelty. It’s a sonic tornado with relentless double-kick drumming. Williams excels behind the kit, while Gallagher delivers precision-cut riffs and bone-crushing solos. You hear this, for example, on Feast of Ashes. The record stays solid throughout. The second half, though, feels slightly overloaded. After the brief Throw Them in the Van, tracks like Raised in Victory/Razed in Defeat and Hero’s Grave add little to the overall impact. The trio keeps things tight, clocking in at a lean 37 minutes. They close with Subterfuge for one last old-school barrage.

 

Make Them Beg for Death leaves listeners battered but satisfied. Dying Fetus once again hits their mark: raw and merciless, with modern production and straightforward songwriting. The hooks could even draw in first-time death metal listeners. The slasher-inspired cover sets the tone. The full impact only hits when you press play, take a deep (non-relieving) breath, and ride the album through. Make no mistake—there’s a lot of substance here.