Morgengrau

Austin, TX outfit Morgengrau have captured the spirit of late '80s/early '90s traditional death metal with their debut effort, Extrinsic Pathway. Featuring former Ignitor frontwoman Erika Tandy and ex-Manifestation drummer Reba Carls, as well as guitarist Nick Norris and bassist Jacob Holmes, the quartet unleash seven tracks of classic, Asphyx- and Pestilence-esque death metal, plus a cover of Sepultura's "Inner Self" thrown in for good measure. Dominating the release are Last One on Earth-era Asphyx-style riffs, with an undercurrent of heavy rhythms and dark tones, while a variety of time signatures, ranging from slow grooves to inhuman, thrash-y speed, provide the unpredictability needed to modernize the record. Showcased throughout Extrinsic Pathway are Tandy's demonic vocals, which encompass death growls and thrash barks, complementing Morgengrau's powerful riffs. With crisp production and an old school vibe that pays tribute to the genre's origins, Extrinsic Pathway is an exceptional debut from this promising band.