The highly anticipated 2nd full-length from this Greek institution in current Death Metal. The band was initiated by Giannis Grim (Carnal Dread, Humanity Zero, Death Trap, Vultur) and George Wolf (Forced In, Dismal Chant, Vultur) when Carnal Dread and Forced In shared the bill at a local show back in the grip of winter of 2012. Both musicians being real zealots of what Death Metal was known for back in the late 80´s and the early 90´s -in other words, no tech wankery and no crystal-clear production-, they rapidly entered the studio just to start jamming, and ultimately gave birth to Ectoplasma. Shortly after, the “Everlasting Deathreign” demo was discharged upon mankind, granting the band some following among diehard fans of unpolished Death Metal. On subsequent releases (the “Spitting Coffins” debut full-length and the split tape with Hatevomit), the band kept on perfecting their craft and obtaining more adherents of their underground creed, reaching a more mature sound by the time the “Skeletal Lifeforms” EP was released in late 2016 (tape format) / early 2017 (CD format), in which Ectoplasma shamelessly manifested their devotion to muddy, organic, disgusting, bone-breaking and rotten-to-the-core Death Metal influenced by the early offerings of bands such as Autopsy, Baphomet, Asphyx, Morta Skuld, Grave, Demigod, Gutted, Death and Judecca, only with their own personal twist. With the recent addition of Dion K. Alastor (Vultur) on guitars and Giannis Botsis (Embrace of Thorns, Thou Art Lord) on drums, Ectoplasma are ready to continue their foul crusade against inane, overproduced “Death Metal” and take it to the next level of grime and decrepitude. And indeed, they accomplish that -and much more- with their absolutely gutsfucking second album, “Cavern of Foul Unbeings”. So accurately titled it´s almost ridiculous, “Cavern of Foul Unbeings” is a sickening plunge into ancient Death Metal´s darkest and most disgusting depths. Here, Ectoplasma take all the mangled and mangling elements of their most recent work and simply perfect them in a most punishing and pustulent way. If one were to close his eyes, “Cavern of Foul Unbeings” could easily be mistaken for a stalwart album release in that grand year of 1992 -but open your eyes and the nightmare continues, decades later and disregarding all shameful and softening trends under the banner of Death ever since. But, beyond the band´s slavish devotion to the almighty Metal of Death, what really shines on “Cavern of Foul Unbeings” is the strength of its songwriting; each song is as solid and seamless as the one prior, and each one offers its own personality and surprises. That they conclude the album with a cover of the legendary Unleashed´s “The Immortals” speaks to Ectoplasma´s grounding and undying belief in actual SONGwriting. Featuring era-accurate cover artwork courtesy of Raul Fuentes and clear and crushing mastering by The Crypt´s Ted Tringo, “Cavern of Foul Unbeings” proves that the past is truly alive… and deader than ever!
Released by:
Memento Mori (Spain), 2018.