Archspire – Too Fast to Die
Release Date: 10th April 2026
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Technical Death Metal, Death Metal.
FFO: Aborted, Inferi, The Zenith Passage, Obscura, Cattle Decapitation, Revocation.
Review By: Rick Farley
Quite possibly the world’s fastest technical death metal band on earth, everyone’s favourite flame spewing, shred wizarding, adrenaline junkies, Archspire, have triumphantly returned for their fifth full length album, Too Fast to Die. Funded mostly through a Kickstarter campaign in a noticeably brief period of time and independently released, the band have taken sole control of their rampaging, extreme metal beast. These lovable “Stay Tech” Canucks have once again shown an absolutely blistering level of technical prowess as well as a logical refinement to their sound. Each album musically seems to be an extension of their last with their trademark sound always in full effect. This time around however there’s a stronger focus on atmospheric elements, which make this record feel relatively matured. That’s not necessarily a word that goes with technical death metal very often if ever, but in this case Archspire have found passages of melodic, ethereal soundscapes that bring other emotions into their brutal, accelerated face melting blueprint.
Don’t get me wrong, this record is still essentially faster, darker, and more precisely intense than anything they have released thus far but having a greater musicality and structure on Too Fast to Die gives the record more layers, moods, and emotional depth. The off the rails, high velocity freight train is still rolling on average of 300 to 400-bpms but not solely relying on blistering speed and technical ability for every single second has, “gasp”, made them better songwriters. This is in my opinion the most complete album from their discography and possibly their best.
One listen to Red Goliath chomping its gnarled teeth at breakneck speed, while the airy melodic elements create a sense of creepy tension in the background, carries real emotional weight that will have you cowering in fear in the corner from its abrasive attack. Drummer Spencer Moore took the impossible task of being the new member of this band to reaching his own unsurmountable level of frenzied musicianship. The drums alone are so blurring fast, they could easily hammer through a chest cavity or two with ease from their immense power. Factor in the whirlwind insanity of guitar trio consisting of Dean lamb, Tobi Morelli and bassist Jared Smith and you have a kinetic haze of scorching notes, assaulting riffs, and shreddy leads all at nauseating speed. The rapid fire, near death rap growls of Oli Peters is both volatile as well as satisfyingly percussive. My current favourite of the eight fantastic tracks is the staggering mind-bend ofLimb of Leviticus, the neo-classical influences shine through, albeit at impossible pace. The ruthlessness runs the gamut of the extreme, being seething, world destroying yet melancholic and surprisingly optimistic. A beautifully cosmic, clean guitar passage brings airy mystery and brief respite from the brutality of the songs battering speed. Without dragging this review for far too long, if your unfamiliar with Archspire, it’s time you got onboard.
Nearly 39 minutes at full throttle, the record is surprisingly easy to listen to as well as comprehend its layered chaos. In all its precise, bludgeoning glory Too Fast to Die is rather memorable and pleasing to the ear, which is another facet of tech-death that isn’t always completely normal. The production is clinical, fully fleshed out, and has a welcoming warmth despite its chaotic nature. Archspire have again set the bar a bit higher, proving the tech-death genre can grow musically and still continue to be intriguing. Easy recommend.
(4.5 / 5)
