ANGELIC DESOLATION are an American Death Metal band coming from Denver, Colorado. They describe their fusion of elements from traditional Death Metal, Techdeath, Thrash and Grindcore as "Razorgrind", a genre tag that might as well be quite adecuate. "Quorum of Unspeakable Curses", released on September 25^th 2020, is their fourth EP so far and the follow-up release to 2018's full-length debut "Rumpus Time Is Over".

A phased-out intro gives way to the roaring Death Metal of "Cyborg Vampire". There is an impressive depth to the drums that play off nicely when pair together with the angular riffs. A complex and frantic, high-energy, opener. It sets the tone for the EP right from the start. Max "Thunder" Stark honours his nickname with his thundering drumming, piercing through the listener's ears.

On "Necropotamus" Matt Markle's guitar plays around the beat in syncopated fashion while Jay Medina shows off his dynamic harsh vocals trading in high-pitched, screeching screams and deep death growls. Skilled tapping and manic drumming cap off the highlight of this short offering.

Closing this too brief, eleven-minute musical journey, ANGELIC DESOLATION throws in a cover of Polish Death metallers DECAPITATED. Although still anchored in the Technical Death Metal realm of the original, this American quartet's version feels truly updated and has a life of its own. The production also makes it easier to appreciate the pounding bass giving profundity to the track.

"Quorum of Unspeakable Curses" is an outstanding and really fun EP that any Death Metal fan might easily dig. The songwriting is impeccable as is the impressive musicianship on display. Production-wise my only nitpick would be that the bass sometimes gets a bit lost in the mix, but that is a common thread with Extreme Metal releases. Overall, a strong set that leaves the listener thirsty for more being just extremely short.