Friday, February 27, 2026

Hemotoxin--When Time Becomes Loss (CD/LP) {2025 Pulverised Records}


This is the fourth full length from this Pittsburgh, PA-based act, originally formed in 2011. They've been quietly producing some very important music. Influenced by latter-day Death and Cynic, at least to my old-ass ears, as well as Bay Area thrash, they manage to keep everything melodic and intense while balancing ever-changing riffs and patterns. This is death thrash elevated to artistic level, and while I normally don't give a fuck about the technical ability of a band, this is a pleasure to listen to because of their skill. It's an absolute fuckin' clinic. Every instrument is operating at the highest of levels, but never does it descend into preposterous wankery. This is technical in the same way that Hellwitch is technical. The melodies aren't hokey or contrived, either, but legitimately awesome heavy metal melodies that are serious earworms. I cannot recommend this highly enough, and it's absolutely worth the effort to get yourself a copy.