As the timeless saying goes, 'everything is bigger in Texas', and the place and importance of heavy metal is no exception. While the list of bands hailing from the Lone Star State has become long and distinguished since the early 1980s, the last fifteen years have seen the rise of a myriad of exciting new talent throughout the state.
Among these bands, Denton based Creeping Death has quickly climbed to the top of every head banger's 'must see' list. Since forming in 2015, the quintet already boasts an impressive tour resume through runs with Carcass, Exhumed, Cattle Decapitation, and Revocation. Though far from quiet since the release of their debut four years ago, this June will be the beginning of the next chapter of Creeping Death with the release of their sophomore effort, Boundless Domain.
Opening with the title track, the stage is set with a slow, dissonant intro, before the immense roar of vocalist Reese Alavi brings the 'bigger is always better' formula to life. With legendary metal producer and Killswitch Engage axman, Adam Dutkiewicz, serving as the album's producer, each snare hit is crystal clear, every bass line is ground shaking, and all guitar work is razor sharp.
Indeed, in keeping with Texas tradition, the sound from here on is nothing short of massive - an trait shared with other upcoming metal bands that call the state home such as Frozen Soul and I Am.
As the first single released from the album back in March, "Intestinal Wrap" is surely engrained in every fan's mind by now. If the churning instrumentation and searing guitar solo is not enough, the song also features a guest appearance from George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher of the almighty Cannibal Corpse.
Demonstrating the level of skill and strength of collaboration within the band, "Vitrified Earth" injects hardcore and even cross-over influences reminiscent of Terror and Sworn Enemy. No doubt any mosher will be excited to throw down to this track, as well as the equally grooving "Creators Turned Into Prey".
While ZZ Top might be most famous for crafting that good ol' Texas boogie, Creeping Death take this concept into the realm of extreme music with "Cursed". But even with all the groove and slamming, death metal purists are far from forgotten with gnashing numbers like "Remnants Of The Old Gods" and closing track "The Common Breed", which both bring classic Morbid Angel stylings to the table.
The Metal Mayan review:
One thing I've learned over the years of reviewing live shows is that you can always spot a new sensation when they are scheduled to play early in the show and have a more excited, if not overall bigger, audience than the bands after them. So it was when I caught Creeping Death in New York City on tour with Cattle Decapitation last February as they took the stage to deafening cheers and applause.
To paraphrase the late, great Vinnie Paul, Creeping Death's sound in concert was beefier than 'a goddamn 64 ounce Texas T-Bone bisket' (#hellyeah).
Creeping Death @ Le Poisson Rouge NYC, Feb. 2022
Returning with an album that is not only more mature in composure, but also impeccably mixed and produced, Boundless Domain is an incredible work of death metal goodness. As with many releases in this genre, favorite songs are replaced with riffs that need to be replayed again and again, which this album is chock full of. That said, "Vitrified Earth", "Creators Turned Into Prey" and the album's title track will definitely see heavy rotation on my personal playlist.
Kicking off their album release tour this month and through July, the future is bright for Creeping Death as they continue to gain accolades and fans around the world. Grab your tickets now and pick up a copy of Boundless Domain, out 16 June on MNRK Heavy.
Advance copy courtesy of Earsplit PR/Earsplit Compound and MNRK Heavy