Faceless Burial – Speciation (Album Review)

Melbourne trio Faceless Burial’s most recent release Speciation is a brilliant death metal album that harkens back to the dark, haunting and technical roots of classic death metal. Speciation is the band’s second album and their first since the brutal 2017 release ‘Grotesque Miscreation’.

Speciation is a six-track masterpiece. The first track is Worship. This track sets the tone for the entire album. Max – the drummer – is particularly noteworthy on this opening track, showing that death metal is not simply about blast beats and a solid double kick! The second, third, fourth and fifth tracks are Limbric Infirm, Irreparably Corpsed, Speciation and Spuming Catarrhal Gruel!

The final track on the album is Ravished to the Unknown. This final track is my favourite on the album, but you can listen to the whole album here to decide for yourself, or you can check out Ravished to the Unknown here! The final track shows the technical genius of guitarist Fuj who synthesises well with bassist Alex! Alex’s vocals are perfect through the entire album, largely contributing to the overall dark and heavy tone of Speciation.

Speciation is a fairly logical progression out of Faceless Burial’s first album. It is pretty rare to find a band that creates a second album that keeps ‘the sound’ of the first album without sounding repetitive. Speciation is an exception. This is one of the best albums I have heard. Speciation is as groovy as Sepultura, as heavy as early 90’s Morbid Angel and as technical as The Faceless. Keep a keen eye out for this band and get to a show when you can!

Dark Descent Records is releasing the CD & Me Saco Un Ojo Records is releasing the Vinyl!

Faceless Burial: Facebook

Release Year: 2020
Label: Dark Descent Records / Me Saco Un Ojo Records
Category: Album
Country: Australia

Reviewed by Sam