Hailing from Chicago, BEASTLURKER release their debut EP on Polish record company Godz ov War. They are an up and coming project, mixing Black and Death Metal aspects into their work. Not going to lie, that's pretty much all we know about these guys. So, let the music do the talking.

"Caustic Purgatorial Suspension" kicks off the EP with a decent ambient feel. Dark enough to feel the Black Metal aspects, but also with enough talent on the instruments to state that they know how to use Modern Death Metal styles too. The buildup is slow, but you can sense it'll explode soon. Which, like a BEHEMOTH-Esq. approach, it does. The vocals are course, but crisp. Blackened Death. The pace has that Thrash speed awareness, which several quality Death metal bands have produced down the years. The control and balance shown just in this song, is enough to warrant hearing the rest of the EP with certain optimism. The good thing is that they seem to be creating their own sounds, not trying to mimic anyone else's. The Thrash aspect returns in the surge towards the end, caps off the song very well.

"Lachrymatory" does not hang about. It's heavy and pulsating from the off. It has more of the Thrash aspects in regards to pace from Geist's guitar. It also has more of a Blackened Thrash ideal in here. The vocals are still course, but not as course. That being said, it is a very good song. It has the bellowing vocals that we come to love of bands like EMPEROR. This, that being said, is a great compliment. The mix up styles creates a song that is a true head banger. The style in this song has changed into a different gear from previous. This is more AURA NOIR, more Thrash than Death, but it works perfectly.

"Judas Goat" has the same starting approach to its predecessor. Fast and aggressive. The Black Vocals are doing very well to hold together the song at this speed. The band truly know how to bind together. Its's all about control. This one doesn't have as much of a Thrash aspect, instead changing things up with a bit of Death Metal style twinges. It's a good style. The only issue with having 4 songs is that too many changes and reverts of style can be more obvious than if there was 12+ songs, but as this is similar to the fist track, it works very well.

"Nest of Squalor", the final segment of the album. Has a "Freezing Moon" style start. Nothing wrong with influences from classic MAYHEM. It's a lot darker than the rest of the songs. The guitar is thicker, like if Black Metal had a Sludge riff option. The vocals are certainly more in the background, in comparison to the instruments being clearer. It's an old school Black Metal song. But, then breaks down to a Thrash solo in the middle, which gives it a new lease of life, returning the clearer vocals. It's a great new depth to go into. The song is Thrashy where it didn't need to change, but I'm so glad it did.

The EP is a very good debut release. You go into the album not expecting fireworks, but you come out in awe of the show. Some truly promising sounds from what could be the next big thing in Blackened Death Metal. Can't wait to hear a full-length release. Keep it up guys!