TOMBAL – GRAVE OF THE DAMNED

'Cryptic Invocations' opens the EP with a thick layer of eerie atmosphere. Haunting ambient sounds-rushing wind, crawling insect noises, and wet footsteps echoing through the darkness, create the feeling of wandering through some forgotten underground crypt. Faint guitar textures lurk in the background while the insect-like buzzing grows increasingly overwhelming, building tension and unease before the real violence begins. The title track, 'Grave of the Damned', wastes no time throwing the listener straight into chaos. After a brief galloping drum intro, TOMBAL erupts into a barrage of blasting drums and sharp riffs that hit with crushing force. Somewhere within the whirlwind there seems to be a drawn-out scream buried beneath the mix, though the sheer intensity makes it difficult to fully embrace it. The vocals themselves arrive deep and throat-ripping, but feeling slightly detached from the instrumental storm surrounding them. Toward the end, however, the thick bass lines help adding more layers and a groovy momentum that drives the track forward with power. With 'Cemeterial Death Worship', TOMBAL dive headfirst into pure old-school death metal filth. The bass sits prominently in the mix, adding a thick and rumbling backbone to the song, while the vocals descend into even darker and more savage territory. Much of the track is driven by relentless blast beats, yet the aggression never feels overdone thanks to the constantly shifting, grime-covered riff work. As the song grows dirtier and more violent, it becomes easy to imagine the chaos this track would ignite live, especially once the melodic solo cuts through the carnage near the end.

‍

'Funebral Furnace' sees TOMBAL digging even deeper into the grime and aggression of classic ’90s death metal. Much like the rest of the EP, the track wears its old-school influences proudly, but beneath the familiar foundations the band already show a clear understanding of what makes their sound effective. The songwriting thrives on relentless momentum, savage precision, and a raw sense of violence that never feels forced. Particularly impressive is the uncompromising instrumental performance, the riffs grind forward mercilessly while the rhythm section keeps the entire track in a constant state of attack. Closing track 'Cathedrals of Rot' wastes no time throwing the listener back into the chaos. TOMBAL immediately unleashes a barrage of savage riffs, blasting drums, and venom-filled vocals that hit with pure hostility. Beneath the relentless speed, the song gradually develops a heavier and more groove-driven character, giving the track an extra layer of momentum without sacrificing its violent edge. As a finale, it perfectly summarizes the band’s debut EP, raw, filthy, and unapologetically old-school.

‍

With "Grave of the Damned", TOMBAL delivers a strong opening statement steeped in the traditions of classic Swedish death metal. Across its short but destructive runtime, the EP balances chainsaw riffing, relentless drumming, and venomous vocal work with an atmosphere that genuinely captures the spirit of early ’90s extremity. While the band still wear their influences proudly, tracks like 'Cemeterial Death Worship' and 'Funebral Furnace' already hint at a trio capable of shaping a more distinct identity of their own. Raw, aggressive, and unapologetically old-school, Grave of the Damned marks TOMBAL as a promising new name within the underground death metal scene.

‍

SCORE 7/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY