Though I have never underestimated German death metal bands, Teratoma’s overbearing sound is as muddy and raw as early old-school death metal; their peculiar style draws a fair share of dark atmosphere, down-tuned guitar riffs, and crushing double-bass pedals. The blast of cavernous aggression anchors the guitars, and there are plenty of elements that create a slow heaviness that explodes in the eponymous track “Long Voracity”.

The German death metal scene has brought many great acts in the last decade, with emerging bands such as Sulphur Aeon, The Ruins of Beverast, Chapel of Disease, and Nekrovault. The sophomore is unconventional for fans of modern death metal acts; the eight tracks capture the cavernous death doom sound, with rawness and the sheer volume of riffs on “Chaotic Bewilderment”. The reverb-laden heaviness creeps in gradually while the guitars and guttural growls build an obscure remnant of old-school death metal.

Apart from the thick, rotten riffs spewing from the composition, Teratoma underscores raw, prominent elements that the band focuses on for the forty-five minutes. The chugging guitars give the album a massive sound without sounding identical to cavern death metal; the guitars churn out dark undertones.

Yet there is always a moment that holds your attention to the catchy rhythms that demonstrate the composition in tracks like “Ravaged and Absorbed” and “Perpetual Anguish”. The tempo changes vary from fast to death-doom; the growls are horrifying; the slow passages contrast with the seeping guttural growls, while the crushing riffs unleash grooves and heaviness.

Some slow tempo changes maintain the obscure sound, and the riffs can be rotten and dense. The songs are well-paced, and this clearly showcases the level of brutality we are dealing with, especially when the riffing explodes, and the drums shift to a fast tempo. Slow doom riffs offset “Circle of Perdition” as Teratoma continues to plunge deeper, leaning more on the ominous guitar tone throughout, and the drums, at times, are relentless and brutal. There is a raw, grimy feel to the sound production, adding an extra cavernous thrill without falling into mediocrity.

The riffing shifts to punishing chugging, then bounces back to slow-doom chords; the ultra-brutality leans on OSDM, and this is one of the aims that distinguishes Teratoma from its peers. The drum fills range from blast beats to slow drum patterns and double bass galore, keeping the songs interesting.

Clean guitars take the center stage on the short instrumental track “Interim”. The flute gives these tracks a distinctive feel with lush soundscapes. The vocals on latter tracks, “Festering Realm” and “Spewing Atrocities”, deliver these cold, chilling guttural growls. The guitars are menacingly obscured and remain consistent in their brutal approach, showing the unique identity Teratoma has built. One cannot deny that there is a strong old school approach from the 90s that is fundamentally rooted in the band’s core sound.

The sophomore proves to be more than a throwback to death metal; Teratoma brings a fresh and crushing offering, an engrossing listening experience. Whether you like your death metal filled with grooves, crushing mid-tempos, or slow otherworldly atmospheres, “Longing Voracity” is masterfully executed.

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