From Bandcamp, “MARROWOMB is a blackened death metal project from Chicago. Spearheaded by sole member Frank Lato, the artistry of MARROWOMB knows no bounds and takes an uncompromising approach to songwriting. The project takes its influences from a variety of sources; however, it’s prominent focus is on internal conflict and struggle.” The album has eight songs, and “Phantasia Katalepteke” is first. It’s a very fast, dense, and aggressive sound, with drums strikes hit at lightning speed, harsh vocals, and a veritable wall of riffs. From start to finish, it s like a ride in a race car.

“Sickness unto Life” is a bit darker in scope. It’s like a storm blowing in on the horizon…the winds pick up and the skies blacken, and that familiar smell of the air before the rain hits in your nose. “Vicarious Visage” is harrowing out of the gate, and there is a distinct vocal cadence along with thick slabs of meaty bass guitar that has a towering sound. “Inner Ring” has a slower pace, and a full, evil sound enters like a poisonous gas…first surrounding you, next seeping into your pores, and finally, it’s lights out. “Black Gossamer” has a lot of energy, like a shot of adrenaline in your ass, and a chaotic guitar solo rounds out the song.

“Veil of Cold” features some more dissonance within the thick undergrowth of branches. Frank keeps the riffs moving and shifting so that, as a listener, you stay engaged in the album, and he is adept within their creation. “Despairloom” closes the album, and it’s close to 12 minutes in length, and in comes the bright light of melody for just a few rays trying to cut through the black fog. But like despair, it is eventually overtaken by strong feelings of hopelessness and despondence. The song seems at first to meander a bit, but when you piece together the various parts it makes sense in the end. The album has a very heavy and deep bottom end, and the production matches it. The combination of two distinct extreme Metal styles is very well done, as they meld together like meat and broth in a stew, and what you get is a thick, bitter, but well-seasoned bowl of madness.