The hourglass has started flowing again for Monstrosity, a band with plenty of history behind it. The Tampa death metal veterans boast a rock-solid legacy. After eight years since their last full-length, The Passage of Existence, they have finally returned with a new album.
Such a lengthy hiatus is not always a sign of inactivity or a lack of inspiration. In fact, Screams from Beneath the Surface showcases a side of the band that is not entirely new. Instead, it is refined and sharpened. Remaining firmly rooted in classic old-school death metal, Monstrosity elevates their formula through enhanced technicality and crushing power. They also bring a stronger melodic sensibility, all balanced with remarkable precision.
The opening track, Banished to the Skies, begins with an atmospheric introduction. Guitarists Matt Barnes and Justin Walker weave tension-filled arpeggios as Lee Harrison gradually builds momentum behind the kit. The song then erupts, and Ed Webb enters with a deep, cavernous growl reminiscent of Corpsegrinder. The Colossal Rage takes a more direct approach. It is driven by razor-sharp riffs and a rhythm section that pushes relentlessly forward. The Atrophied highlights the band’s technical side. The guitars become even more surgical in their execution. Spiral serves as a more restrained transitional piece, allowing the bass grooves and Harrison’s controlled drumming to breathe. One of the album’s undeniable highlights is Fortunes Engraved in Blood. Here, progressive structures, tempo shifts, and the interplay between the two guitarists take center stage. Vapors, on the other hand, returns to a more straightforward and brutal assault, featuring Harrison in full blast-beat mode. The Thorns slow the pace considerably. It embraces a darker and more doom-laden atmosphere while showcasing Mark van Erp’s weighty bass work and Webb’s deeper vocal performance. The following Blood Works immediately restores the old-school fury with no unnecessary embellishments. The album’s final stretch is entrusted to The Dark Aura, which introduces a more oppressive, almost blackened-doom dimension. The closing track, Veil of Disillusion, ties everything together and delivers a strong collective performance from the band.
By the end of the record, one thing is abundantly clear: Monstrosity still knows exactly how to craft compelling death metal. Screams from Beneath the Surface does not seek to reinvent the genre. However, its balance of skill, experience, and songwriting makes it a far more intense and rewarding listen than many of its contemporaries. Bands that remain faithful to a specific style often risk repeating themselves and preserving their sound without significant evolution. That is not the case here. Monstrosity has injected just enough fresh perspective into their established formula to elevate themselves above the average. They reaffirm the status they rightfully deserve.
