Tasting Notes Reviews

Wakey Wakey….it’s 2026! No messing about (bar the two release days they selfishly bypassed), Tombseeker are straight in with a self-titled debut that tempts Bolt Thrower to stagger up and consider throwing the odd bolt again, and makes Gatekeeper literally hold the gate wide open.

Hailing from Kansas City, a place with a name that (for me) makes it sound like a miniature village, Tombseeker are a grubby looking five piece who have honed that rare skill of making straight death metal sound utterly absorbing.

Yes, there’s the HM2 buzzsaw guitar sound; yes, there’s a drummer called Allen who clearly joined the game many moons ago and has never lost a life; yes, there’s the vulgar expulsions of vocalist Jon and the (don’t forget them) bedrock, immovable twangs from bassist Alex….BUT these guys can write, and play, exceptional death metal.

From the explosive energies in the self-titled opener and the 200 Stab Wound party that is ‘Immolated Self’, through to the more trad ‘hang your arms, hair, and anything else that will hang’ gnarliness of ‘Flagellated’, and on through to my favourite track on the album ‘Trenches’, this is actually possibly the best, and most unexpected, start to 2026 I could have planned.

I love death metal played by them who know the death metal. Thanks Tombseeker….you’ve only gone and set the tone!

Best paired with a raw sheep heart, a gristle stick and mega pint of poser’s blood.

Review by: Jaff

Out via Iron Fortress Records.