This debut EP crept onto the earth in October of last year, being released digitally and on cassette but has been picked by the Polish label for a proper physical release plus this version has the bands 2018 demo tagged on the end as a bonus. This US act know how to write utterly punishing death metal tunes that situates them within a warring onslaught on virtually every song. The duo comprising Cult Graves have decided to become as anonymous as possible producing a far more obscure approach than you normally see in death metal.

Opener ‘Abomination Rites’ has a sample from a film, I assume, that I don’t recognise but sets the scene suitably for the ensuing barrage to come. There is a grindcore ethos at times to the opener, created via the drum sound and enveloping noise created. The intense blast beats hammer home like a gigantic nail gun pinning you back, as at times I felt there was a similarity to Swedish brutalisers Deranged. An inhuman pervading savagery seeps from this album from start to finish as ‘Necrophidius’ continues the malevolent mercilessness. Whilst not as crisp as some of the brutal death metal acts you may hear these days with their clinical productions, Cult Graves plunge us into a vat of unerring filth as even the slower phases on this album reek of a putridity and rancour that few can emulate.

The title track is equally battering, with an insane intensity you feel exuding from the speakers, corrupting your soul with each passing second as the main release itself concludes with ‘Cruor Upheaval’ before the demo tracks. Again that ridiculous speed as the riffs assail continuously with a primal sonic architecture that sends the song virtually into noise territory, but of course with huge degrees of control.

The demo tunes are equally formidable, possessing a slightly more caustic sound but retaining the unfaltering detonating tempo dynamics. There is a freneticism to demo opener ‘Ritual Suicide’ producing that sense of urgency as though racing to the finish line, each instrument having parity in the mix as the warring credentials continue into ‘Hand Of Glory’. I especially liked this bands ability to pivot the songs on a needle point, producing waves of momentum as the devastating slow sequence permeates with deadly force.

‘Astral Hauntings’ has slow menacing guttural power, a primeval pulverising that enshrouds you on every level especially when an impenetrable double kick opacity is unleashed. Closing with their own song ‘Cult Graves’ this band leaves no doubt as to their potential to become an absolutely monolithic death metal band as the closer capitalises on the pulverising nature by unveiling some grimy ghoulish deathly sewerage you cannot fail to be swamped with.

Cult graves may have the foundations of caveman, Neanderthal styled death metal but they do it with considerable conviction, astute song writing and, of course, horrifying songs in every sense of the word.

(8.5/10 Martin Harris)

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/strange-customs