MANGLED CARPENTER – BETWEEN BLOOD AND SILENCE

The title track wastes no time. Blast beats, huge jagged riffs & Seth Metoyer’s vocal performance collide in a controlled assault. The sense of restraint arrives as one of the release’s greatest strengths. Instead of pushing every song to the max, Mangled Carpenter pull back & let crushingly heavy soundscapes do the damage.

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“Carved” is the best example of this, leaning deeper into thick, groove heavy rhythms that land with great impact. “The Absence Of Light” flips the switch back tenfold to full aggression, delivering the EP’s most punishing moments, while “Down, Down, To Goblin Town” emerges as our standout pick of the litter. Equal parts grindcore, death metal & anthem, its structure makes it the release’s most replayable track.

The band’s cover of Mortification’s “Terminate Damnation” respects the original whilst dragging through a harsher modern filter. Closing cut “Short, Sharp, Shock” lives up to the title, ending the record before it outstays its welcome.

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Metoyer’s songwriting continues to evolve, boasting atmosphere & sheer force, while the programmed drums & industrial touches add yet another layer of menace. At just over twenty minutes, Between Blood And Silence is concise, punishing & dynamic af. It lands Mangled Carpenter in a position as one of the more interesting acts operating in today’s underground extreme metal scene.

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SCORE 8.5/10

Words by LearnTwoExist 

In collaboration with Headbangers Australia

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