Denmark’s extreme metal newcomers NECKBREAKKER are unleashing their mammoth debut album on the titan that is Nuclear Blast records.
Only forming in 2020 NECKBREAKKER have curated truly a sound of their own. A huge smelting pot of death metal, grind & hardcore that has molded itself into the most impressive debut album of 2024.
The album’s opener “Horizon Of Spikes” begins with a feedback soaked ring out before the band go straight in with a hooky riff that grabs you straight away. Then switching things up into a Decapitated style groove as frontman Christoffer Kofoed’s harsh but standout vocals give a different feel to the band’s sound. Great & consistent double kick work from drummer Anton Bregendorf gives the sound this pounding backbeat that drives the song’s intensity. As the track builds to a mosh worthy breakdown guitarists Johan Lundvig & Joakim Kaspersen are locked in tight & bludgeoning you with this closing riff.
With a perfect blend of Swedish death metal & swampy riffs “Shackled To A Corpse” is just wall to wall grooves. This track keeps the energy & pace high. A great swagger style riff with these simple Obituary thunderous drums that are like the heartbeat of the track makes this a great early standout track. Closing out with a great quick but inventive breakdown section will have your ears peaked for sure.
“Purgatory Rites” is a real beast of a track & for me the stand out. Right from its opening bars it is a whirlwind of chaos. A big old Bolt Thrower style riff that switches into a Nails style blasting section gets this blood pumping early. This track has a heavy tank destroying the battlefield feel. Really showing off Bregendorf & his drumming on this track has him going from great cymbal flourishes, to megaton blast beats & nonstop double kick action. Its huge breakdown for me is what caps it off nicely, slowing things down but adding a quick blast to the tail of the riffs gives it that little songwriting aspect most bands miss.
It might be the albums closer but “Face-Splitting Madness” might just be the bands best track to date. This stomper starts with a great atmosphere, death doom style slowly building its power & at its peak the band go full throttle. This track has a lot of great riffing, keeping the track interesting with tempo changes & just making sure the track doesnt get boring. These boys really know how to write some engaging heavy ass music.
If you would’ve told me NECKBREAKKER are a band 10 tens into their career & this is their fifth album i would honestly believe you.
But somehow in the short time the band have been formed & this being their debut, yes there bloody DEBUT album really rocks my world.
If you love all facets of extreme metal then NECKBREAKKER will be a band you love. These guys have been able to gather all their influences, write & record an album that showcases their love for metal but doesnt wear it heavily on their sleeve like most other bands. “Within The Viscera” is a standout debut album of 2024 that’s for bloody sure.
Review: Joseph Mitchell
Within The Viscera is out via Nuclear Blast on the 6th December 2024
Tracklist:
1. Horizon Of Spikes 3:56
2. Putrefied Body Fluid 4:43
3. Shackled To A Corpse 4:18
4. Nephilim 4:39
5. Purgatory Rites 5:03
6. Unholy Inquisition 6:46
7. Absorption 5:23
8. SILO 5:38
9. Face Splitting Madness 5:38