Growth – Under the Under
Release Date: 27th March 2026
Label: Wild Thing Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Death Metal, Post-Metal.
FFO: Nero di Marte, Convulsing, Cave Sermon, Ulcerate.
Review By: Aeons Burning
Australia. Known as the land down under, it’s home to a multitude of things, such as demonic wildlife, scorching hot wastelands, and a booming metal scene. Australia and New Zealand (and in some part Italy) are in charge of the rise of the post-death metal scene, where you have bands like Convulsing, Cave Sermon, Nero di Marte, Eye Eater, and (modern) Ulcerate being the pioneers of this movement. Add Growth to that list, though. A post-death metal band to their core while also taking influence from Gorguts, Growth is an easy win to any lover of this specific sound of powerful, emotionally-charged death metal. Debut LP The Smothering Arms of Mercy went under the radar for many, including myself, but sophomore LP Under the Under will add them to the radar of anyone even remotely a fan of this sound.
Post-death metal rocks because it takes cues from the sludgier, more atmospheric side of post metal and combines it with the unsettling turbulence of the more dissonant blends of death metal. It’s absolutely a newer sound, and as a result, all the bands in this style sound fresh and interesting. Growth are no exception, with Under the Under being a very emotionally-driven record that sounds fantastic at all points, with no song dragging or feeling weaker than the rest of its peers. Everything on here sounds fantastic, with there being no clear highlight. Under the Under is tailor-made for fans of the post-death metal scene, and I only like it more for that. The vocal shifts are incredible, ranging from harsh shrieks to wonderful baritone cleans, and the guitars and bass are never flashy, but always hit hard, whether it be the more aggressive Remember Me as Fire or the more contemplative Pain is Never Far Away. Subtlety is a tool in Growth’s belt that always works, and Under the Under is never showcasing wild technicality but always providing weight with directness.
Growth is a band I will always enjoy listening to. This style of metal has a tendency to hit hard for people who try to find more complex things to listen to, and while I abhor the genre descriptor “dissonant death metal” this is on the more emotional side of it. I will always pick up a new album embracing post-death metal as a sound, because I feel it’s an incredible way to see death metal evolve and appeal to different audiences, rather than being seen as a one-note style. Under the Under brings a breath of fresh air to the scene, and Growth have delivered yet another home run.
(4 / 5)
