Welcome to The Saw’s Butcher Shop! A few years ago, Your Master Butcher was at an Obituary show in NC and they had a band with them that really got my attention – Exmortus. They are stocked with excellent musicians! They’re thrashy, with amazing technicality, and savage and inspired song structures. Flash-forward to August 25, 2023, and Exmortus have dropped a new full-length on a new label – Necrophony (Nuclear Blast). A new outlook for the band has produced a great new era for Exmortus!

Founded in 2002, Exmortus formed in Los Angeles, CA. So, you already know that the area’s long history of blistering Thrash is a solid foundation for a talented band to build upon. However, Thrash is not how I would categorize Exmortus. Everywhere you look, the band is listed as “Neo-Classic.” Taking that term at face value – i.e., a new take on a classic style – then I think that is true; the next generation of Thrash Metal. But that does not give a clear picture of what Exmortus have to offer, especially on this new album, Necrophony.

Necrophony is the sixth full-length studio album from Exmortus, and while the previous records really showcased the talent of the band, this newest offering is incredibly technical in all aspects. The lyrics are darker and more mysterious and, likewise, the lyrical delivery is harsher (almost a Death Metal gutteral). Another aspect of Necrophony is that the record is progressive (track-for-track), and is also themed (track-for-track). All 12 songs, for 53 minutes, revolve around the musical theme set forth in the album opener, “Masquerade.” The band’s famous technical guitar work of Jadran ‘Conan’ Gonzalez (who also performs vocals) is matched by the brilliant guitar playing of Chase Becker; which in turn is matched by the incredible bass tracks of Phillip Nunez, and the inspired drumming of Adrian Aguilar. Altogether, Necrophony is a Thrash-based, Power Metal infused, informed by Death Metal, work of art! 

Necrophony contains a few instrumentals – “Masquerade,” “Storm of Strings,” and “Overture” – each featuring the incredible skill of Exmortus members. There are a couple epics on the record – “Darkest of Knights” and “Children of the Night” – which I think are longer because of all the moving parts, but they never get boring. The single, “Oathbreaker” really gave us a taste of what was coming for us; it’s quick, bombastic, and excellently structured for maximum results. The lyrical material for all Exmortus albums has been fantasy driven, but Necrophony is much darker in lyrical character (the title means, “Dead Songs”) and, as I’ve said, are delivered in a harsher, deeper voice. Overall, the atmosphere of the new album is heavier, darker, and more driven than anything that has come before it. I love it!

With Necrophony, Exmortus have set themselves apart in the Extreme Metal scene with distinction. Brilliant melodic riffs, based on a crunchy Thrash foundation, formed into a (literal) compositional symphony; thick and heavy, but soaring above the gravel-throated vocal delivery. The production is crisp and clean, and you already know Ya Girl loves it to sound good! In my opinion, this is Exmortus’ best work! You’ve really got to hear it!

Rating: 8.5/10! Brilliantly composed and executed; melodic, but heavy and dark.

Favorite Songs: Mask of Red Death, Darkest of Knights, Prophecy, and the title track

Stay Metal,

THE SAW