Nestled deep in the north central region of Italy within a short drive to the Alps lay the small and beautiful town of Gavardo. When thinking of this town, metal isn't something that comes to mind, but this hasn't stopped a group from creating something entirely brutal. AVTOTHEISM formed back within 2016 and has been offering up a display of putrid brutal death that later evolved into a more technical approach. With a name of self-worship, we can only imagine the depth of their creative approach lyrically. Having one previous EP, a full-length album and handful of singles released to showcase this as they paint the putrid imagery of decadence encased within their philosophical belief, we can only imagine what their latest album has to offer.

 “Reflections of Execrable Stillness” is their latest full-length album that was recently released on October 25, 2024 under the banner of Unorthodox Emanations, a sub-label of Avantgarde Music. Despite having only five tracks, this album of pure technical death will last 38:03 minutes. Having most of the tracks timed relatively similarly, it is the final track that makes up the majority of the album. Usually I see this in old school black metal songs that have lasted up to 71:00 minutes in some cases, So I am curious about this. But for now let's get into it  and see what putrid death is being showcased.

 This album artwork is absolutely gorgeous! A painting of what looks like hills that encroaches on a lake that spills into a river through a waterfall can be seen with a stormy or cloudy mist filled sky. The color palette is impressive as it is made up of ambers, golds and shades of gray mixed with blacks in a washed out detail framed by golden gothic ornate swirling design. The band’s sigil or logo can be seen within the framed design within the upper central portion. There are some forms of characters that can also be made out at the bottom in the golden frame as well. I have always been drawn to the murky darker elements of artistic expressions and this does the trick.  

 Progressive chord progressions ring out creating a melodic atmospheric element. A heavier strumming in pace can be heard resonating in the background. Steady and building into the atmosphere. With the pounding of the drum that leads into a heavy bass and drum rolls, the opening track picks up and becomes thick. “Multitudes of the Sand I” takes off in a progressive tone that leads into a technical onslaught of putrid death. The vocals, Bestile and visceral coat the track in brutality. The heavy breakdowns and dissonant aspects help tie this together. Various elements remind me of PORTAL. A powerful opening.

  “Multitudes of the Sand II” hits with a steady bombardment of heavy drums and thick low tuned dissonant chord progressions. All coated in an element of technicality and harsh vile vocals. The track leads into a slowed atmospheric breakdown that holds a resonance of tortured screams that help build the intensity. There are some experimental elements that can be heard subtly as well in parts. An amazing continuation that pulls you deeper into the album.

 This album is a well produced piece and is a must have within your collection. The dark and dissonant elements of technical death that are coated in brutality and often tinged in experimental and progressive elements. The levels throughout the tracks are well placed, though I would have added just a slight more depth to the vocals by adding a bit more bass to give it some thicker tone. But very little. Each track offers something different, the time signatures and switches are done with finesse and you can hear the talented dedication. From start to finish this album was amazing. There are a lot of elements that ring out and blend perfectly within the album and are executed with precision. 

 “Dogma Sculptured in the Flesh” leads with heavy drum blasts and what sounds like a bit of a djent influenced chord progression and sets the overall pace. Building the intensity, the putrid vocals kick in as the track builds in more of dissonance that is festering in technical death. That bass line just thickens everything up and makes it truly disgusting.

 I'm not too impressed with much brutal death metal really anymore but sometimes you get a gem like this. This is brutal tech death, but it's more than that. There are some amazing elements of dissonance that get tinged in progressive experimental moments. Even various influenced djent aspects pop in. But This leans heavily into the dissonant side of brutal tech death and I loved it. This is an Album that you need in your library of death.