Artificial Brain are a technical death metal quintet from Long Island, New York. Their core sound weds pummeling tech and death metal to the buzzing edges and Phrygian mode scales of black metal with an angular, dissonant edge and nearly subliminal growling vocals using science fiction themes as lyric inspiration. The self-released, three-track Demo 2011 presented the band with opportunities for regional touring while 2013's Butchering Cosmic Giants EP won notice globally, netting them a record deal with Profound Lore. 2014's long-playing debut, Labyrinth Constellation, was produced, mixed, and mastered by Colin Marston; it scored dozens of positive reviews for its bracing modern approach to death metal. 2017's Infrared Horizon proved more experimental and wide-ranging, resulting in a prime slot on Cattle Decapitation's tour. Founding vocalist Will Smith left the band in September 2021. He was replaced by vocalist Paulo Paguntalan for immediate touring, though Smith's voice had already been recorded for material on 2022's Artificial Brain. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

ASCENDED DEAD is a Death Metal band from San Diego, California. The group was founded in the summer of 2011 by J. REIDER, I. LAWRENCE, AND C. KORYN. Each of the band's releases explores a different realm, but maintains the energy band sought to create since it's inception. Dark, chaotic, demonic, bestial Death Metal, without limitations. ASCENDED DEAD is C. KORYN (drums), I. LAWRENCE (guitar), J. REIDER (guitar/vocals), K. SCHREUTELKAMP (bass).

Enigmatic Australian Death Metal entity ALTARS rose sharply to prominence with the release of their 2013 debut ‘Paramnesia’ (Nuclear Winter Records/Blood Harvest). The record quickly drew widespread acclaim for the band's dynamic, forward thinking compositions — hearkening to the genre's forebears whilst carving a niche all their own. After a premature halt, in part due to a debilitating illness affecting co-founding member Cale Schmidt (vocals and bass, see also Monomakh), ALTARS entered a long period of dormancy. Guitarist Lewis Fischer joined the ranks of Melbourne outfit Ignivomous, while drummer Alan Cadman entered the fold of Adelaide’s occult StarGazer. All the while, ‘Paramnesia’ continued to gain status as a cult classic and glimpse of the band's true potential. After eight years of silence, 2021 saw a revived ALTARS announce its resurrection with the promise of a new full-length album, and then the recruitment of Brendan Sloan (Convulsing) to fill the void on bass and vocals — cementing the band as a force to be reckoned with once more.

Invoked from the crypts of Washington DC, Goetia have arisen to wreak havoc on all who dare to lay ears upon them. Theirs is a relentless assault of pummeling drums, razor sharp riffs, and otherworldly vocals that spew a never ending barrage of curses from beyond on those unfortunate enough to get caught in their wake.

Pulverizing death metal from Melbourne, Australia. Riffs so heavy it’s like bricks hitting your ears. Members of Derailment, Headless Death, Incinerated, Internal Rot, Incinerated, etc.