Forced Out of Existence: Greenwitch’s Grand and Groovy Exodus

Greenwitch, a trans death metal band from California, has burst onto the scene with a debut that’s as brutal as it is groovy. Forced Out of Existence is a skull-crushing ride that blends death metal, black metal, and groove metal into an unrelenting yet engaging experience. From the moment you hit play, this band makes it clear they aren’t here to mess around—they’re here to obliterate.

Right off the bat, the bass playing on this record demands attention. It’s deep, groovy, and absolutely dense, creating a low-end weight that makes every track feel massive. Tracks like “The Cyberneticist” and “Grotto of Obscene Sensation” highlight this perfectly, offering bass lines so filthy they practically force the grumpy cat face onto your skull. The sheer heaviness and groove make the bass one of the strongest elements of this album, complementing the rest of the band’s chaotic yet calculated sound.

The guitars on Forced Out of Existence are just as menacing as the bass. They’re thick, heavy, and full of sinister energy. However, the most fascinating aspect of the guitar work has to be the insane high-pitched wailing. Greenwitch doesn’t just settle for heavy chugging; they throw in wild, almost horse-neighing squeals that cut through the mix in the most unhinged way possible. Songs like “Grotto of Obscene Sensation” and “Spewin Fluids” showcase this perfectly, where these wailing solos come in unexpectedly and just rip through your eardrums in the best way possible. The way the guitarists incorporate these elements keeps the album from feeling monotonous, adding layers of chaos and unpredictability.

Drumming on this record is all about power and precision. There’s a heavy reliance on double kicks, and the speed at which they’re played is nothing short of punishing. Tracks like “Forced Out of Existence” and “Body Bound” absolutely pummel you with rapid double-bass sections and intense fills that add to the relentless energy of the album. “Rot Alone” dials things back a bit, but the drummer manages to keep it interesting by switching up patterns and fills, making it stand out despite its more restrained nature. It’s clear the drummer is putting in serious work, and mad respect to them for keeping the energy alive throughout the album.

Greenwitch's vocal approach is as low and guttural as they come. The sheer depth of the growls and occasional pig squeals add to the band’s brutal edge. However, there are moments where the mix muddies the vocals, like on “Spewin Fluids”, where reverb and echo effects make the lyrics a bit hard to decipher. Despite this, the raw aggression behind the delivery is undeniable. The vocalist embodies everything you’d want in a death metal band—unrelenting, beastly, and downright feral.

While Forced Out of Existence comes out swinging hard, it doesn’t quite maintain that energy all the way through. The first half of the record is fantastic, filled with groove-laden brutality and a sense of controlled chaos. But as the album progresses, the momentum starts to slow. The later tracks lean into more generic death metal territory, with riffs and breakdowns that don’t hit as hard as the earlier ones. “Severed” is a prime example of this—it starts with a four-minute static interlude that seems to be reaching for an atmospheric buildup but instead feels like an unnecessary detour. When the song finally kicks in, it lacks the impact you’d expect after such a long-winded intro.

Forced Out of Existence is an exciting debut, showcasing Greenwitch’s ability to mix groove and brutality in a way that keeps death metal fun and fresh. While the album loses steam in its second half, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. The bass and guitars steal the show, with their unique tunings and techniques making this band stand out in the current metal landscape. While not every track lands perfectly, Greenwitch proves they have the chops to evolve into something even greater.

This is only the beginning for Greenwitch, and given how much they’ve already experimented with their sound, it’s exciting to think about what they’ll transform into next. If you’re a fan of groovy, gut-punching, and slightly unhinged death metal, this is a band worth keeping an eye on.