GRUESOME hailing from Miami, Florida were formed in 2014. The progressive Death Metal outfit released so far two EPs and two full-length albums. Album number three is called “Silent Echoes” and it was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jarrett Pritchard (1349; CASTRATOR; GOATWHORE) at Rusty Sun Audio. The album has a length of about 33 minutes, and it was released via US Death, Sludge, and Stoner Metal specialists Relapse Records. The album starts with a short guitar-prelude to “Condemned Identity”. The track is a fast one at crazy speed with tight and aggressive guitar riffing, supported by the double-bass drumming and strong basslines. The vocals are growls varying around the medium end of the guttural range. The track slows down for the break and the first part of the lead guitar solo is played at measured tempo, switching during the course back to the blistering speed again. “Condemned Identity” is a very strong opening track and an early album highlight.

“A Darkened Window” is a mid-tempo track to begin with during the first verse part. There are numerous twists and turns in tempo and rhythm across almost the whole tempo range. The guitar riffing is tight and technical. At the centre of the track is the extended break with another contributing and technically comprehensive lead guitar solo. “A Darkened Window” has been released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Frailty” slows down the tempo further at least during some parts of the track. The track has a lot of structural complexity, technicality, and progressive elements. The guitar riffs are flesh-ripping at times, and the basslines are crushing. It is one of those tracks where the listener is easily lost due to its complexity. The lead guitar solo is once again second-to-none.

“Shards” is a more direct delivery with verse parts at insane pace with aggressive Thrash Metal riffing, supported by the relentless double-bass drumming. There are tempo changes throughout the track with some slower parts and a mid-tempo break. The break offers another contributing lead guitar solo, which is kept relatively short. The title track “Silent Echoes” has a very powerful start, transitioning into another fast and intense verse part. The tempo slows down during the middle part of the track accompanied by thunderous guitar riffs and strong basslines. The tempo rises again for the lead guitar solo, which is split into the first part at fast pace and the second part at measured tempo. The track eventually circles back for another verse/chorus part. The label “chorus” I use is not a chorus in a classical sense as there is much more complexity, twists and turns during those parts in every track.

“Voice Within The Void (Astral Oceans)” is a progressive delivery at high quality. It is an instrumental track, driven by punishing guitar riffs, very contributing lead guitar parts, a lot of double-bass drumming, and technically comprehensive basslines, all around mid-tempo with a few shifts towards measured tempo. The lead guitar is provided by Paul Masvidal (CYNIC). “Fragments Of Psyche” starts at mid-tempo with devastating guitar riffs leading into the verse part. Again, the track has plenty of shifts in tempo, with some frantic parts including tight riffs and crunching basslines as well as slower parts with thunderous guitar riffs. All is kept perfectly together by the excellent drumming of Gus Rios. While there are many lead guitar contributions throughout, it is one of the rare tracks without lead guitar solo.

The album finishes with “Reasons Denied” and this one reflects the album sound very well. There are twists and turns in tempo and rhythm, punishing guitar riffs, crushing basslines, and another extended and contributing lead guitar solo. “Reasons Denied” is a very good way to finish the album. GRUESOME deliver a masterclass in progressive and technical Death Metal. “Silent Echoes” is flesh-ripping and aggressive Death Metal at insane pace, smartly combined with melodic and progressive elements at slower pace. The technically comprehensive parts are delivered most often during the bridges and breaks. One of the album highlights are the lead guitar solos, which add an extra dimension to each track. If there is anything to criticize, then it is the repetitive tight riffing during the fast parts of the album at times. The album is well produced. GRUESOME show that Death Metal excellence can be complex and technical. Fans of progressive Death Metal will be delighted with “Silent Echoes”.