The United States of America is the country that inherited the pioneer spirit of NWOBHM during the 80's. Then it's natural to see that the US Metal School helped to set the foundations of many Metal genres, as Death Metal. No one can deny that names as DEATH, MASTER, POSSESSED, MASSACRE and others were extremely important to set some of Death Metal features, and that during the 90's, the North American Death Metal scene was extremely strong. So the Texan quintet CATHEXIS really has potential for playing the genre, as can be heard on "Untethered Abyss", their third album.

They're a Technical Death Metal act with a strong sense of the traditional ways of the genre. So it's not sounding extremely technical or 'jazzistic'. It's like MORBID ANGEL on "Blessed Are the Sick"/"Covenant" days, but with a strong and aggressive personality pulsing on their songs. Technical and full of a massive energy, their musical work is truly good, besides the idea that they can dare a bit more is clear on some moments. Jeanne Strieder (re-amping and mixing) and Colin Marston (mastering) did a fine job on the sonority of "Untethered Abyss". It's powerful, aggressive and brutal, but in a way that can be understood by anyone. It means that things were done not in a hurried way but using wisdom to think what could be better in some points.

Eight ear-shredding themes are shown on "Untethered Abyss", so be prepared for some sound massacre. But the brutality of "Horizonless Realm of Mechanical Retribution" (a massive and technical song with excellent rhythmic work from bass guitar and drums), "Given to the Colony" (that shares the same elements from the previous song, but with a better attack from the guitars), "Harrowing Manifestation" (very good slow parts contrasting with the technique used, and very good grunts can be heard), "Library of Babel" (another song with a slower focus, but with a very good technical work that allows it to flow in a comprehensive way), and "Reanimated Kin" is what the band offer to Death Metal fans. And of course they'll love it.

As final words, CATHEXIS has a lot of to offer, but it's not in their music by now. So to listen to and experience "Untethered Abyss" is the best way to pass time until their next release.