The chunky slice of old-school brutality meets crust-punk, hitting riffs that pummel you on “Apocalyptic Dawn”, is a good way to start this album. Musically, the album is full of bangers, grooves, and hooks. As a result, Jungle Rot continues to improve its dynamic standards, and the riff power is being emphasized, with a sledgehammering drum. The eponymous track, “Cruel Face of War”, is another brutal offering from bassist James Genenz, guitarist Geof Bub, and the insane drumming of Spenser Syphers, showcasing a great trademark from the band.

The rhythm sections are triggering and immediately set a punishing tone from a massive combination of hooks. The mayhem, fueled war anthems, and the unrelenting savageness all sound so violently aggressive and cohesive. Be it the powerful bass guitar tone or the deep roars that Dave Martise delivers, you’ll hear some nasty old-school riffs.

Every song on “Cruel Face of War” is packed with headbanging riffs that Jungle Rot is known for, as well as technical precision. The quartet took their sound to a new level with the twelve-studio album, and the songwriting justifies the band’s legacy.

The anger-filled hardcore influences and the stomping drums make this album so aggressive and brutal; its consistency on tracks like “Maniacal” is remarkable. The drums are bludgeoning and heavy, ripping you to pieces; the dynamics keep you headbanging to the beefy guitar tone. The album oozes the level of intensity fans are familiar with, plenty of solos, swaggering, and grinding moments on “Suffer in Silence”.

The sheer clarity of the production perfectly matches the energetic formula; the album was mixed and mastered by Dan Swano. Despite the guitars sounding polished, there is a mixture of monstrous riffs and classic Jungle Rot on “Radicalized”. Speaking of this flawless track, it’s brutally extreme, Dave Martise brings his iconic roars, and even the groovier rhythms and the bass guitar provide an extra layer of aggression.

“Blade of Betrayal” and “When the Elders Rise” are aggressive and remarkable. The rhythm section is infectious; the drums kick into high gear with hammering beats, and double bass pedals intensify the sonic cohesiveness. The latter track features Dave Ingram, vocalist of Benediction, and begins with ferocious drumming and layered bass, packing razor-sharp riffs, unleashing a devastating fury. It solidifies their roots and connection to 90s death metal without dropping an inch of their relentless pummeling; everything is thrown into the mix.

Guitar leads and solos continue to showcase the talent of the guitar department, while the overall formula of Jungle Rot leans towards mid-tempo on most of the songs. “Legacy of the Damned” and “Rot Riffs” emphasize chugging ferocity along with technical guitar work. All these fiery elements that trigger incendiary power are refined and elevated to bash your head with a crowbar.

The aggressive climax is reached through a swell of dynamics on the final track, “Hollow Husk”. Jungle Rot’s flare doesn’t compromise a little bit of brutality; instead, there are plenty of tremolos and razor-sharp riffs. Everything is commanding, making it worthy as the band’s strongest album since the 2018 self-titled album.

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