There’s an undeniable thrill when two death metal bands with distinct identities collide, and You’ve Got Red On You, the upcoming split album from Necronomicon Ex Mortis and Bloodfeast Ritual, perfectly embodies this exhilarating convergence. Due out on February 21, 2025, the album offers an unflinching and immersive dive into brutal sonic landscapes, with each band contributing their own raw energy and cinematic storytelling flair. It’s a vicious and exhilarating ride, where old-school heaviness collides with technical prowess, all set against a backdrop of existential dread and cosmic horror.
Starting with Bloodfeast Ritual, their side of the split is a masterclass in unrelenting brutality, anchored in the sludgy, ominous tones that define the band. Tracks like “Soul Annihilation” crackle with chaotic and searing solos that deliver an immediate gut punch while exploring the obliteration of the soul itself.
The band wastes no time in establishing their aggressive and visceral tone, only to lead into “Decaying Humanity”. The sprawling nine minute and forty-four second epic track builds from its initial chaos into something much grander. The track is a statement of intent, with intricate songwriting and a sense of desperation that mirrors the human race’s inevitable decline. The sheer technical complexity and weighty heaviness of the song shows Bloodfeast Ritual’s depth and their constant pushing of boundaries while never losing sight of their core aggression.
Switching gears to Necronomicon Ex Mortis, their contribution begins with “The Music of Eric Zahn”. The haunting instrumental track sets an atmospheric and almost cinematic mood. It’s a brilliant opening that seizes on the band’s knack for blending eerie and gothic storytelling with their crushing death metal style. The band’s approach in the song is different and combines mid-tempo grooves with melodic touches that evoke the tension and dread of a Lovecraftian nightmare.
From there, Necronomicon Ex Mortis ramps up the intensity with “Bound in Human Flesh”. The visceral homage to horror classics blasts forward with a combination of thrash-infused death metal and incendiary solos. It’s fast, it’s furious, and it’s pure unadulterated metal.
But the real standout is “Unspeakable Swamp Creature,” a continuation of the band’s earlier work, “The Swamp”, from their Silver Bullet EP. The band pushes further into their dark, atmospheric corner, layering unsettling melodies with a crushing rhythm that evokes the very essence of horror. By showcasing their ability to balance intricate storytelling with the raw power of death metal, it’s sure to be a track that will no doubt stand as one of the band’s defining moments.
Reminiscent of early Deicide and Morbid Angel with its punishing riffs and savage solos, their closing track, “Misery”, brings things to a devastating end.
Both bands on You’ve Got Red On You are clearly at the height of their creativity, taking familiar elements of death metal, aggressive riffs, guttural growls, and explosive blast beats and refining them into something both familiar and fresh. The coming together of Necronomicon Ex Mortis and Bloodfeast Ritual is a celebration of the genre’s roots while also pushing its boundaries. Whether you’re drawn to the atmospheric, horror-inspired death metal of Necronomicon Ex Mortis or the technical ferocity of Bloodfeast Ritual, this split is a must-have for any fan of extreme metal.
