Grim terror and ugliness, when delivered in true, legitimate doses, can make death metal feel that much more terrifying. There are plenty of bands that do their best to make it seem like they carry with them the true elements to make their music as terrifying as possible. Then there are those that don’t need to try, because they have that horror buried deep within them.

Canadian death metal beasts Paroxsihzem have flown seriously low under the radar for one reason or another. Their 2012 full-length debut was criminally underappreciated (if you haven’t heard it, go back and change that right now), a collection buried in disturbing filth with songs that could cave in the sides of your head. Their approach (including the use of creepy clips from movies) felt like they were trying to carry the true essence of hell with them, and every trip with that album led to psychosis and smothering intensity.

Following that record, the band released a split with Adversarial, but now they’re back with a new mini-release “Abyss of Excruciating Vexes” that is being released exclusively on vinyl and expands that band’s horrible visions. On this release, they offer up four new tracks, as well as a cover of an awkwardly named Arkhon Infaustus track, that pushes past the sound they revealed on their full-length. The music remains sooty and terrifying, but the sounds are more atmospheric in spots, and the band–vocalist Krag, guitarist/bassist Impugnor, drummer Abyss–show a tendency to reveal new sides of their morbidity. It’s a violent collection that won’t make you feel happy and renewed inside when it’s done.

This 24-minute crusher opens with “Dillanties Torture,” a song that blasts open and smothers repetitively, with infernal growls scorching and weird melodies snaking under the murk. The guitars are slurry and disorienting, while the assault dizzies you, pushing you into scorching howls and some pretty brainy playing. “Bellicose Psychosis” simmers in noise and static before bursting with a rage. The vocals echo as the riffs bring total hell and carnage. The madness spirals out of control, with the band trudging forward and grinding you in their gears. “BZ Experiment” has a calculated pace that tries to deal concussive blows and succeeds. The elements splatter like blood, with the soloing screeching and veering out of control, with the band clobbering you, and the drums dealing out massive death blows. The growls come back in and char, with a choppy, vertigo-inducing assault taking hold. “Isolation” boils in sound, with the drums erupting and bruising, and the playing feeling downright ugly. The guitars trample, the violence feels oppressive and unkind, and the soloing burns away. The record ends with their cover of “D.C.M.” complete with clips from the film “Maniac” and the band putting their own black spin on this already ill-intended track.  

Paroxsihzem remain something of an underrated force, a band that deserve more attention thrown their way. I’m not sure they’re clamoring for more press or anything, but with the smothering they put forward and true commitment to fierce death metal, they should find a larger horde waiting for them anyway. This isn’t music to get you all amped with your bros. This is music that should make you feel low, devastated, and alone.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/Paroxsihzem-293704858374/

To buy the album, go here: http://hellthrasher.com/shop/

For more on the label, go here: http://www.hellthrasher.com/