Monstrosity Screams From Beneath The Surface Review

Monstrosity

Screams From Beneath the Surface

Metal Blade Records

2026

Monstrosity are a name that should be familiar to all the fans of not only brutal death metal that leans on the technical side of things, but to all those who have an affinity for true Florida death metal. There are a few reasons for this. The most obvious is the fact that one George “Corpsegrider” Fisher got his start with them as their vocalist and lent his throat (and his windmilling neck) to Imperial Doom in 1992 before going on to front Cannibal Corpse, where he remains today. After that, you have to consider that since the now classic debut, they have remained constant and consistent in the game, releasing no less than thirteen albums and 2 EPs. Monstrosity, just as their name suggests, has delivered beastly and thought-provoking music through it all despite lineup changes, cultural shifts, and an ever-changing climate within their own genre. There's no stopping them. That dogged determination and ability are on full display here with their fourteenth effort, Screams From Beneath the Surface, from the revered Metal Blade Records.

Across the ten songs we are treated to here, one thing is apparent. The band are firing on all cylinders and have crafted some of the most ferocious yet catchy songs of their career. Founding member and drummer/primary songwriter Lee Harrison sits atop his kit with vigor, technicality, speed, and an incredibly tight, focused performance. Joining him are returning original bassist Mark Van Erp, longtime guitarist Matt Barnes, and ex-Massacre vocalist Ed Webb. Speaking of Ed, his vocal performance here is commendable. Not only are his deep gutturals on point, but they are also clearly enunciated, mixed nice and up front, and they can go from lows to the high screams interchangeably and are always controlled and just very clean. That's not to say he is doing any actual clean singing, but his vocals/growls are just done very well and accentuate the songs so well it makes them all the more listenable.

The sound here is tight, even, and every instrument has room to breathe, and nothing is buried or overriding anything else. Monstrosity “spanned multiple studios to achieve sonic perfection. Drums, bass, and mixing were handled at Audiohammer Studios under the expert guidance of producer Jason Suecof (The Black Dahlia Murder, Deicide, Job For A Cowboy), while vocals, guitars, and mastering took place at the legendary Morrisound Studios, where Monstrosity reunited with revered producer Jim Morris (Iced Earth, Warrant, Savatage), alongside Mark Prator and BJ Ramone.” It's incredibly refreshing to hear a band with the tenure these guys have opt for this modern production but still keep things organic and live sounding with real instruments. If they used any modern bells and whistles (quantized drums, lifeless and brittle digital amp tones, and overly processed and compressed vocals), I certainly can't hear it. I'm also thankful they bucked the trend of everything being drenched in reverb and the murky, bottom-heavy mud of most old school inspired newer bands.

Now, on to the actual music itself. As I mentioned, Monstrosity are pure old school brutal death metal with some tech flourishes. Seriously, these riffs are crushing and instantly enjoyable and run the gauntlet from tremolo-picked burners to double kick-led chugging, melodic and atmospheric flourishes, and some of the best lead work I've heard in recent memory. Standout tracks are the mind-bending synth and clean guitar-led “Banished to the Skies,” which shifts into a harmonized power metalesque motif, and a mid-paced start-stop verse that is an instant and involuntary head bob. The near 7-minute runtime is over before I even realized it. That's a testament to great songwriting when 6:40 seems like you want it to keep going and are surprised/bummed it's concluded. “Colossal Rage” is pure vintage Monstrosity with fast chunky riffs and drumming and vicious vocal renderings and fretboard abuse across a tasty, harmonized section before delivering more fantastic lead work. Somebody must've pissed off Matt Barnes by insulting his playing ability at some point because he is flexing and bringing an A+ game here on every song. I kid, but yeah, he is playing on this record like he has something to prove or an axe to grind (no pun intended). “The Atrophied” is another that jumps out with its meticulous riffing, tempo changes, and commanding verse/chorus sections. These are but a few that grabbed me, but I can honestly say that every song here is a winner and seems to fly by despite a 41-minute running time.

In summation, Monstrosity are doing what they do best here, being pioneers of brutal and somewhat catchy Florida death metal. Don't misunderstand when I say that though. They are adding elements I've never heard them attempt and bringing new sounds and ideas to the table 34 years into their life as a band. Screams From Beneath the Surface is an exhilarating exercise in all things intense, brutal, melodic, and heavy. This record just made my end-of-year best albums list. If you are new to Monstrosity or classic brutal death metal, you have just found the album I suggest you start with.

RIYL- Cannibal Corpse, Death, Obituary, Deicide, Immolation, Suffocation, etc.

~TB