Atlanta-based Alluvial hit the scene running in 2017 with their independently released full-length debut The Deep Longing For Annihilation, a wholly instrumental Death Metal record which caught the ears of the mighty Nuclear Blast Records, who subsequently snapped them up for their follow up Sarcoma in 2021. 

Alluvial brought in ex-Pyrexia/Suffocation vocalist Kevin Muller for their Nuclear Blast debut and after impressing many with their newfound sound, they’ve delivered another solid collection of music on Death Is Not A Door, their new four-track EP. 

The record opens with the frenetic chugging of “Bog Dweller” where intricate down-tuned riffing and heavy guttural vocals set a distinctly sludgy Death Metal vibe. Muller’s vocals have the slightest hint of a Randy Blythe tinge to them, while the track also provides some thrashy technical shredding and some impressively complex drumming.

“Fogbelt” opens with a Zakk Wylde-esque guitar squeal and bursts into a doomier riff which is deliciously twisted. The song builds from its opening dirge, eventually dragging itself out of the mire as the pace increases. 

“Area Code” begins with a creaking soundscape before dropping into an offering of pacey Technical Death Metal with more infectious riffing and flashy guitar leads, while closer “Death Is But A Door” provides the first clean vocals of the EP and an intro of gentler melodic yet melancholic strumming. 

When it eventually drops, the song is deep and pounding, and the two contrasting vocal styles complement each other nicely. The production really stands out throughout where there is a real clarity and definition between the instruments, and if this is a taster of more to come from Alluvial … then bring it on.

Buy the EP here:

https://www.alluvialofficial.com/

7 / 10

ABSTRAKT_SOUL