Formed in the UK in 2012, LIVE BURIAL has become a force in the Death metal scene in England. They released a demo in 2013 and an EP shortly after in 2014 titled Live Burial. Their first full-length release came in the form of an eight-track effort called Forced Back to Life in 2016. They added another album to the catalogue in 2020 called Unending Futility and received great reviews for their old-school Death metal sound that started to put distance between themselves and their peers in the Newcastle scene. Welcoming back original guitarist Jake Bielby who played with the band on their 2013 demo, they have newly released a third album in September called Curse of the Forlorn.

Some bands like to get momentum going into the album whether it be by the first track, the first few tracks or even just within the first few minutes. Some do it very well and you can get a perfect example of this on the opening track "Despair Of The Lost Self": a mid-tempo rise into a bombardment of sound that leaves you wanting more. A killer way to open a release in what is just an all-around great Death metal track. Well assorted melody and brutality. "The Ordeal Of Purification" wastes little time as it begins with a vengeance but also contains a classic head-banging riff and some thunderous bass that fuels the inferno. Back-to-back very well written songs. Great off timing and jazz influenced drumming is paired with a slow burning melody to open up "My Head As Tribute". The vocals on most of the album, this song included, are a dark howl that is not overused and resemble the howl of turning from human into a werewolf as the full moon rises and the taste for blood takes over. Another track that provides you with a mix of speed driven riffs, melody, and ballistic Death metal.

"Blood And Copper" takes a timid start before becoming the bass rumbling beast that it is. This track features some creative guitar work and soloing that blend directly back into a forceful Death metal alignment of crunchy guitars. The guitars do take centre stage on the track, but every instrument is involved and influences the song. "Sepulchre Of Collapsed Kingdoms" starts off at a frantic pace and continues for the majority of the song with sonic solos on display. The track is the most full-forced Death metal song on the album and puts on a show of the power the band is capable of putting into a song. The album ends with the eleven-minute track "This Prison I Call Flesh". The song starts out with some Spanish sounding guitars that sound like they could be in a 1950's black and white romance movie. The track is a mix of what the band does throughout the entire album, screeching guitars with heavy doses of melody, beefy and thunderous bass lines and well-crafted drumming. The vocals are a match to the playing styles to a tee, as the band is fully in sync.

I will confess that I am not the most up to date and knowledgeable of the Death metal scene in the UK at the moment, but this seems like a top-tier band to me. A great album with well-crafted songs that explode with dark aggression and melody and a band that is at the top of their game. Really enjoyed the tracks and I think it is a must listen to album for any fan of Death metal and I will be keeping an eye out for any chance to hear them live in the future. Great work guys!