Skeletal Remains' latest album is a full-fledged, no-frills death metal experience—exactly what you’d expect from a band with a name like that. They hit all the hallmarks of the genre: complex riffs, relentless drumming, pummeling bass lines, brutal lyrics, and guttural vocals that leave no room for subtlety. It’s a record that fully embraces the old-school death metal ethos, but in doing so, it runs the risk of feeling a bit too familiar, almost like a patchwork of death metal’s greatest hits.

From the very first track, it's clear that Skeletal Remains knows how to play death metal exceptionally well. Their technical proficiency is undeniable, and at times, the album boasts impressive guitar work, with rapid tremolo-picked sections, crushing chug-heavy breakdowns, and the occasional unexpected melodic flourish. The drumming is equally intense, delivering machine-gun double bass, blast beats, and well-placed fills that keep the energy high. However, despite the undeniable skill behind the performances, much of the songwriting feels predictable. Many of the tracks sound like they could easily belong on an album from genre heavyweights like Cannibal Corpse or Morbid Angel, to the point where the record sometimes lacks a distinct identity.

That’s not to say there aren’t moments where Skeletal Remains steps outside the standard formula. There are sections where they experiment with unique guitar phrasing, dissonant chords, and unexpected rhythmic shifts, adding some variety to the mix. The drumwork occasionally deviates from straightforward brutality, featuring clean, well-placed fills and dynamic shifts that offer brief moments of freshness. However, for a large portion of the album, these elements are buried beneath a wave of familiar-sounding riffs and predictable structuring. The musicianship is solid, but whether it's compelling enough to hold a listener’s attention for the entire runtime is debatable.

Lyrically, the album sticks to the usual death metal themes of gore, violence, anti-religion, and existential dread. Songs about "no gods, no masters" and graphic descriptions of cannibalism are delivered with the expected ferocity, but they don’t feel particularly fresh or unique. Many of these themes have been explored countless times before, and while some tracks attempt to inject a more creative or thought-provoking element into their lyricism, it's not quite enough to make a significant impact.

One of the more surprising aspects of the album is that some of the best moments actually appear in the latter half of the tracklist. The deeper cuts seem to offer more dynamic songwriting, with more engaging riffs, tempo shifts, and well-executed breakdowns that breathe a bit of life into the record. While these tracks don’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, they do provide a welcome change of pace compared to the more formulaic opening songs.

The vocals are another aspect that, while solid, lack variety. The vocalist delivers a consistent and appropriately guttural performance, but the lack of variation in delivery can make the album feel a bit repetitive. There's very little in terms of tonal shifts, vocal layering, or dynamic range—it's an all-out assault from start to finish. While this is not inherently a bad thing for death metal, it does contribute to the album feeling a bit stagnant over time.

Production-wise, the album sounds fantastic. The guitars are thick and crushing, the drums are punchy and clear, and the bass (when audible) adds a nice low-end weight to the mix. The only real issue is that the vocals occasionally feel buried in the mix, making them less impactful than they could be. However, overall, the album has a polished yet aggressive sound that matches the intensity of the music.

Skeletal Remains have delivered a textbook death metal record—one that is technically proficient and sonically brutal but not necessarily groundbreaking. For fans of the genre, this album will check all the boxes: fast riffs, crushing breakdowns, demonic vocals, and unrelenting speed. However, for those looking for something more distinct, innovative, or memorable, this album might not leave much of a lasting impression. It’s a solid listen, but it ultimately falls into the category of "good but not essential" death metal releases.

Would I recommend it? If you love old-school death metal and don’t mind an album that sticks rigidly to the genre’s formula, then absolutely. But if you’re looking for a death metal record that challenges conventions or brings something fresh to the table, you might not find that here.