Year: 2025
Label: Xtreem Music

“So, how long will we have to wait for a new full-length?” we asked in our review of Spanish Avulsed’s previous release, the two-track EP Extraterrestrial Carnage. And now we have the answer: almost two years.

This means that there’s been a nine year gap between albums, ever since 2016’s Deathgeneration. In that time, according to Encyclopedia Metallum, apart from vocalist/band leader Dave Rotten, all musicians have changed.

How has this affected the band’s sound?

Rather unsurprisingly, not a whole lot. Avulsed have long since established their style, and stick to it on Phoenix Cryptobiosis as well. And that style is: death metal. Period. It’s pointless to try to affix pre- or suffixes to Avulsed’s sound. This isn’t “brutal death metal”, “old school death metal” or any such kind. Naw, man, Avulsed’s style is timeless, pure metal of death.

This is obvious from the go. Lacerate To Dominate, the first proper track (and also the advance single) kicks in with a decidedly Bolt Thrower style riff, before settling into a leisurely gallop of classic death metal savagery. Not only is this Avulsed as it has always been, this is right at the core of death metal.

On one hand, this mean that there is absolutely nothing original in Avulsed’s sound. Everything you hear on Phoenix Cryptobiosis has been heard elsewhere before. From the boltthroweresque panzerwagen rhythms to somber melancholic melodies a’la earlier Amoprhis to razor sharp shredding reminiscent of earlier Deicide, to the slightly discordant riffing bearing a relation to turn-of-the-millennium blackened death metal, everything on the album is familiar to anyone who’s immersed themselves in death metal.

But on the other hand, to me this has always been part and parcel of what Avulsed are. Originality be damned, what Avulsed have always been about is a celebration of everything that makes death metal great. And, to be sure, Avulsed rise above any kind of cheap pastiche or imitation: whilst the bits and bobs are all familiar, the Spaniards’ sound has never emulated any single act.

This leads to an interestingly paradoxical sound. Simultaneously, Avulsed sound thoroughly unoriginal and familiar, but not like anyone else. Avulsed have their own sound, which is a veritable Frankenstein’s monster stitched together from iconic elements. Avulsed are a death metal fan’s death metal band: one is able to appreciate them best when being able to both recognize the multitude of elements they build their sound from, and also appreciate the craftsmanship they do it with.

Whilst the above largely characterizes Avulsed as a band throughout their history, everything of the above also applies to Phoenix Necrobiosis. It’s not original, but it’s not like any other band, either.

Which leaves the most important question: is it a good album?

Thankfully, yes. Dave Rotten & Co. have put together a fine charcuterie board of classic death metal elements, assembled into tight tracks. Apart from the aforementioned Lacerate To Dominate, Neverborn Monstrosity is a fine example of the album’s quality. Starting off with a wasplike sharp riff a’la Deicide, it evolves towards a somber melodicism at the end, with even a bit of groove in the verse. Again, nothing original here, but Avulsed know how to put together a good track from these elements.

If there’s one thing I want to criticize on the album, it’s the sound. Whilst perfectly clear and balanced, I think especially the guitars could do with a bit of extra oomph. The distortion is a bit soft, leading to some of the heavier riffs not packing as much punch as they could. And, to benefit the compositions, should.

But apart from this one little quibble, Phoenix Cryptobiosis will satisfy all Avulsed fans. Of course, everyone will have to decide for themselves if this was worth the nine year wait – but I for one was not left wanting after this album. Avulsed are still Avulsed, almost completely new line-up or not, and this album fits nicely in with the rest of their discography. It’s not a game changer for the band – but was anyone expecting that?

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