Last year, I reviewed an EP by Goetia that I loved so much that I immediately bought it on 7″ vinyl direct from the band. ‘Otherwordly Agency’ was two original tracks played at shocking speeds, along with a phenomenally good cover of Venom’s ‘Don’t Burn The Witch’. I have spun the EP quite a bit – and thus, it was with a sense of overpowering elation, that I now see their journey has led them to release their first full-length record.
One thing I have mentioned previously is their rather repeated artwork. None of that here on ‘Mortuary Cult’. This three piece from Washington DC have channelled their inner horror fan and plastered it all over what could well be up there with the best underground death records of the year. This is more intense, potent and absolutely rip roaring death thrash underpinned by the now-familiar lunatic asylum drum performance.
Standout tracks include ‘Posthumous Execution’, ‘Bestial Tomb’ and the barbaric mouth-gouging onslaught that is ‘Excarnation’. yet, Goetia do show that they are more than a bunch of very talented and velocity-driven maniacs as they throw in more melodic and shaped offerings such as the title track and a right old fist pumper called ‘Tortures in Time’. Then there’s the riffing colossus ‘Eternal Samhain’ that draws the album to a close in perfect style.
I am supremely pleased that Goetia have brought out a full record and, even more so, because I had no idea it was coming. The results of some hugely precise talent, as well as a seeming dedication to anything that does not sparkle, ‘Mortuary Cult’ is a triumph and one that should soon sit upon my shelf.
Best Paired With: Melted Flesh, Burying A Moped and Running Off.
Reviewed by Jaff.
Mortuary Cult by Goetia is out now on Carbonized Records.
Leave a Reply