Bonecarver - Evil (2021) Hi-Res

Formed from the ashes of the brilliantly named CANNIBAL GRANDPA, Spanish outfit BONECARVER have been at the forefront of the extreme scene in their native Madrid since 2014. Combining stories about infamous serial killers with their own take on brutal death metal, they have undergone a self-proclaimed reinvention in the past few years, which included a changing of name. Today sees the release of their debut album under the BONECARVER moniker and their first via Unique Leader Records – a telling of the American murderer Albert Fish with the title Evil.

Although their first full album, BONECARVER released two EPs during the second half of last decade under their old name, so it’s not like this is their first rodeo, but in terms of quality and sheer impact, what a way to go about it. That scene in Raider of the Lost Ark where two of the characters have their faces literally melted off their skulls? This is the aural equivalent from the moment opening track Revolver explodes with a fury of double kick drums and thunderous guitars, replete with savage, guttural vocals. It doesn’t so much grab the listener as throttle them with ease and then delivers the final blow with a devastating breakdown; and there are still nine tracks to go.

When the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse descend from the skies on Judgement Day, this will be their soundtrack as they set about their own destruction of the planet. BONECARVER have spawned a monster in Evil, something truly disgusting and downright revolting; as a result, it’s one of the best death metal releases 2021 will see.