When two of the darkest minds in death metal meld, Putrevore is born.
The brainchild of long-time prolific underground artist Rogga Johansson (Ribspreader, Paganizer, House by the Cemetery, just to name a few) & Dave Rotten (Avulsed, Christ Denied & Yskelgroth), Putrevore is all the darkest parks of death metal in one brutal project.
Starting in 2007 with their first album “Morphed from Deadbreath” (titled after the band’s former name, Deadbreath, before their rebranding). And mixing parts of OSDM the likes of Incantation, Rottrevore & Immolation for a sound that is soaked in dissonance & cavernous in tone.
Their newest & fifth album, “Unending Rotting Cycle,” via XTREEM MUSIC, is their heaviest, ungodly & darkest yet.
The album’s opener, “No Mourning the Grace”, begins as an unrelenting force. From the first seconds, the grotesque guitar tone & David’s echoing guttural vocals resonate in your ears, filling you with dread.
A great balance between these classic Incantation style blasting sections then a big catchy & hypnotic riff drives the track.
The track is four minutes long but goes by at a great pace. Switching back & forth with tempos, really building on its heaviest & soul crushing riffs.
Coming in with some of the most monolithic tones of the year, “Subterranean Paths to the Temples” sounds just like its title. A journey into some of the darkest, deepest caves humans have ever seen. With its huge guitar & bass tone Johansson has been able to really dial into the perfect sound for this album. Also on the album, the drummers were handled by Thomas Ohlsson. Who really gets to show off on this track.
His use of cymbals & snare tone really packs a punch on the album. With the album being mixed and mastered by Avulsed guitarist, Alejandro Lobo, at his Acordica Studios. The whole album’s sound is very raw but still has just enough polish where every instrument’s full power is felt.
The album’s title track, “Unending Rotting Cycle”, feels like an LMG to the chest. From its opening moments of its chaotic blasting & chainsaw-like riffage & David’s most haunting vocals on the album so far, this track grabs you & doesn’t let go.
The “chorus” section of the track really opens up & has an anthemic feel, ethereal for a short while before the band blasts away again. Unlike most death metal, now Putrevore really focuses on songwriting, structure & tempos. They don’t overplay sections, but when they have a great, catchy, groovy section, they play it long enough that it becomes an instant earworm. Also, the blasting sections feature fast riffing underneath those double-kick & old-school blasts, which makes those sections very memorable and catchy.
Putrevore are a very special band. It might just be a side project between two legends with the underground scene, but what other full-time bands lack, Putrevore excels in. Their influences are on their sleeve, but what they can do with decades of songwriting between them means every track on “Unending Rotten Cycle” feels fresh, exciting & has a lasting impact.
Not only is its songwriting superb, but its overall tone is some of the darkest, dank & punishing of the year. If you love dark death metal & even the death-doom genre, then this album is a must-listen.
Review: Joseph Mitchell
Unending Rotting Cycle Is Out Via Xtreem Music On November 11th 2025
Line-up:
Dave Rotten – Vocals
Rogga Johansson – Guitars/Bass
Drums on Unending Rotting Cycle performed by Thomas Ohlsson
Genre: Death Metal
For fans of: Incantation | Immolation | Avulsed | Grisly
Further Information:
https://www.facebook.com/putrevore
https://www.xtreemmusic.com/