We once again find ourselves immersed within the German metal scene. A scene of low tuned distortion and intense tones that reverberate within the underground as many come to unleash their aggression. We find ourselves, however, within the smaller northwestern city of Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is within this quiet city we find something festering below the pleasant streets. It was here where the band RECKLESS MANSLAUGHTER had taken root and began its putrid evolution into the Death Metal group before you. Having formed back in 2008, the band quickly got to work and released their first demo in 2010 that was simply known as “Promo 2010” Fast forward until today and they have three full-length albums, a handful of splits and another demo in their wake. Which brings us to their latest installment in their path of destruction.

RECKLESS MANSLAUGHTER is back with their latest full-length album “Sinking into Filth” that was released on October 21st, 2024 with the great Memento Mori label though currently under Fucking Kill Records. This album offers you 37:48 minutes of pure Death Metal in its most vile form. Having eight tracks to blast, this album may just have what you need to fill that putrid craving for death. Let's dive in.

High contrast black and white art depicting deformed monstrous beings overlooking a pit. The creatures seem to be pulling up dismembered rotting body parts. The logo sits top left while the album name appears to be etched into the wall of the pit. Not bad art, but does seem a bit bright and noisy which can make the album name hard to read for some and the band logo kinda gets washed away in the business created by the high contrast. Overall decent, but I would have darkened it up a bit with less white to be easier on the eyes. The concept was good though.

Low tuned heavily distorted and simple chord progression that leads into some Slam Death as the drums kick in. “Caverns of Perdition” starts the album off with a slower pace of brutality. Heavy bestial vocals coat everthing with festering aggression. Slow and heavy, a good intro to what is to come. “Befouled Commandments”, however, follows up as the next track and picks things up a bit with a more intense pace. Like a shotgun blast, it rips forth like a torrent. The bass thickens the track over the blast beats. The track even makes way for a simple yet effective solo.

As the album plays through, I like what I am hearing. It's got all the hallmarks for a traditional Death Metal album and is putrid in all the right ways. The tones all fit for what they are doing though I feel the kicks could gain just a bit more volume. Something about where the drum mix seems a bit off. That being said, the album is well done with a decent production value. Each track offers something and adds to the overall progression of the album. I especially dig the vocals, the thatched and caustic tone work so well with the instrumental aspects and some of those solos just go so hard. Overall a very well crafted album of death that I would recommend. Drenched in the putrid filth of raw Death Metal, “Sinking into Filth” does the genre justice. 

“Ruf Der Leere”, which translates to “call of the void”, begins in a slower paced and more Slam Death that leads into a solid lead guitar that squeals over the thick heavy rhythm. With a slight drowned out intro that builds into a bit of a faster pace. The track carries on with an unrelenting intensity. With a few time switches, the track overall keeps to its slower pace and Slam Death rhythm. However, the lead guitar takes off and shreds around half way in and pierces over that steady thick chugging tone.

Closing off the album with “Risen From The Mass Grave” where it begins with a simple melodic chord progression that echos out into a wave of reverberating heavy chords and pounding of drums. Slow and drowned out giving off a dissonance of sludge that carries out with deep growling vocals. This track is a beast of one as it lasts a solid 10:32 minutes as well. A decent chord progression resonates throughout the track and makes for a great soundscape of putrid Death to listen to.