NEEDLESS has been around for quite a while. Eighteen years to be exact, as they were formed in 2004. After a demo in 2009 ("Earthborn"), an EP in 2015 ("The Dark Spirit Of Ages"), three singles and one debut album called "Heresy" in 2019, these Hungary natives have released their second album "The Cosmic Cauldron" on the 7^th of January 2022 and quite rightly so. This is Melodic Death Metal down to a T. In the information they have sent with the promotional material they say that this is for fans of CHILDREN OF BODOM, THE FACELESS and DARK TRANQUILLITY. Well, they are not far off the mark, but this is a lot more Death metal and therefore heavier than those bands, while still regaining a little bit of the Melodic atmosphere that fits with their aspirations.

The sound itself is immaculate, as it should be with this kind of music, making NEEDLESS sound very mature and confident. The one thing I do need to mention is that although they are doing a great job, they're not doing anything new. NEEDLESS is achieving what they want, but I can't help but feel that they are lacking in the pure quality department. No, the songs aren't bad at all, on the contrary, but it is too often that I have the feeling that I've heard this somewhere before. That is something these Hungarians need to take into account, as if I am thinking in such a way, others will as well.

It's when you get to songs like "Mournful Heavens" when it gets more interesting. The horror sounds in combination with the low and gravelly voice of singer Ádám Foczek will have you on the edge of your seat, as this is bloody marvellous. This is pure blissful filth that is much more impressive than what they have let us listen to thus far. Unfortunately, they haven't repeated that feat throughout the rest of the album. Except for the last song, the ten-minute anthem "Transgalactic", they haven't been able to achieve the same level of intense horror. But thankfully this ending makes up for that lack of nastiness.

The conclusion for me is simple. I didn't know of NEEDLESS before I listened to "The Cosmic Cauldron", and to be fair, if they do more songs like "Mournful Heavens" and "Transgalactic", I will stay on their case. If not, I'm letting go.