Cytolysis – Surge of Cruelty
Release Date: 8th August 2025
Label: Comatose Music
Bandcamp
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
FFO: Cannibal Corpse, Deeds of Flesh, In Asymmetry, Incinerate.
Review By: Eric Wilt
If you’ve been keeping up with my reviews, you know that Eschaton just released a barnburner of a tech-death album just a little over two months ago. The drummer on that record, Darren Cesca, is keeping himself busy, as he’s getting ready to release his second solo outing on 8 August. The album is entitled Surge of Cruelty and will be out on Comatose Music.
Cesca is a one-man wrecking crew on Surge of Cruelty, which sees him handle all instruments and vocals. Musically, Cesca creates brutal death metal with a technical flare. Riffs emanate from his guitar with bone saw precision, while his drumming is pummeling yet meticulous. Vocally, Cesca holds his own as well, as he ranges from strained growls to monstrous gurgles to even a pig squeal now and then. To add even more variety to the aural palette, Cesca enlists the vocal contributions of Mac Smith, Brian Forgue, Adam Mason, and Flo Butcher.
The result is a brutal death metal album that feels fresh and, well, brutal. Fans of the genre will love the bludgeoning assault that Surge of Cruelty offers, while there’s enough variety on the record that fans of all types of death metal should find something to savor here.
(4 / 5)
