The Heavy Metal scene in Philadelphia may not be the most talked about aspect of the city. In fact, when people tend to think of it, images of The Liberty Bell, Cheesesteaks and the infuriating opening line to the Fresh Prince theme. But here we have a three-piece band from the East Coast city that are here to fill your ears with Doom and Death.

BLOOD SPORE was conceived in 2018 and have released their first EP "Fungal Warfare Upon All Life". If the title alone doesn't give you a hint as to what is about to hit you like a freightrain.... Well then, strap in and get ready for a heavy ride.

The artwork plays to this imagery of death and decay with no real discernible image, but it is distressing none the less. The use of red on black for contrast, with the different shades or red utilised really add to this feel. Think more, fresh blood and clarot, then more congealed, older blood splatters on a black background.

Opening we have "Hostile Fruiting Bodies" and instantly you are hit by those heavy, crushing doom riffs that plug away, driven forwards by the beat of the drums and the Death Metal style of vocals. There are some really solid riffs throughout which give the track a bit of a groovy feel at times, more upbeat than traditional Doom but it certainly bridges a gap.

"Cede To The Saprophyte" ... Now, I hope that you are all like me and are thinking 'What the hell is a saprophyte' have no fear. My trusty dictionary is to the rescue... 'a plant, fungus, or microorganism that lives on dead or decaying organic matter'. Now this is more than a fitting use for the word, it fits the theme and throughout this heavy track you can feel it eating away at you. With a much Doomier feel, its heavy, dirty and distressing. Luke is driving this one forwards, the riffs too heavy to progress on their own require the engine of the drums to ensure that we progress. With peaks and troughs of intensity and speed we are shown a good control of the music and a good understanding of the direction that BLOOD SPORE want to take. Finally, within the last two minutes we are treated to a balls to the wall, leave nothing behind outro that leaves you breathless just listening to it, never mind being in the pit!

The final track is "Apex Colony". Running at just shy of ten minutes and is a masterful combination of the themes produced in the previous two tracks. It demonstrates consistency with their themes and shows that they understand their own music and know the directions that they want to progress in.

Overall "Fungal Warfare Upon All Life" is a very good first offering from this young band. Showing an understanding of their music and catering to what some would call a niche market. The imagery throughout the EP is perfectly in line with the theme and gives a distressing feeling throughout. I look forward to seeing them develop over time and I will be eagerly awaiting their next release and (hopefully) subsequent visit to the UK