Vocalist Ralf Hauber and Jonny Pettersson (guitars/ bass/keys) have been slinging their twisted brand of horror death metal that is Heads for the Dead since 2017. For this album, Never Ending Night of Terror – their fourth album – Evan Daniele was called in to play the drums, and Matt Moliti is the second guitarist. The band had announced an uptick in brutality with the new album, and they sure as shit were not kidding. 10 songs in 41 minutes and ending with “Witchkrieg” (a Goblin Tribute). A creepy rendition that has all sorts of Suspiria all over it. A great ending song.

Anyway, “The Vastness of Time” starts things off with a movie clip and a killer growl from Ralf. The galloping is pretty classic until the high velocity blast beats erupt. Within the first few seconds, the band lets us know they are making good on their word of upping the brutality. This track gets into a slower groove, then into more of that fast galloping.. Jonny is laying down some killer guitar soloing with harmonies as Ralf uses more of his deep guttural registers. Perfect start to this horror soundtrack.

“Death Mask” is up next, incorporating keys and a classic gallop calling to mind 1989, then seamlessly shifting into a vicious blast beat. Some dual-layered vocals on the slower moments, with a good use of the keyboards adding ambience and flair. More guitar soloing, keys, and brutal blast beats. Ralf growling as if he is chewing on corpses as he and Jonny dig up some graves and start feasting on skulls, together. That’s the way to do it fellas!!

“Never Ending Night of Terror” starts with an eerie ambience that I could envision walking through some dimly lit path on a full moon drenched in fog evening. The song has creepy sounds throughout, as this song plods along, with some classical guitar playing throughout the track. Talk about an expansive song – I applaud Heads for the Dead for creating this track, which has a plethora of nice guitar solos. Excellent album title song.

“Give Me Life” has creative growls, blasts, and brutal death metal all around. Jonny dialed in with his guitar tone on this album. The death metal has that European flair of classic 90’s death metal and the element of melody, more commonly used in those bands. There are also flashes of early 90’s, late 80’s American death metal as well. This track has a monstrous rhythm section over the blasts and fast gallops and that damn guitar tone is pulverizing. It will hit you like a 10 ton hammer over and over and over again.

“The Shape of Light Bleeds Black” starts slow and with some wacky key sounds, and the plodding heaviness is as thick as a New England fog. The double bass drums sound really nice on this song, and the start and stop moments at the 1.29 moments with Ralf’s growls and then guitar solos, after are on point. Excellent guitar riffing and the tempo stays pretty much in neutral on this song. That helps break up some of the more brutal sections, which are all over this album, and throwing in a few slower, drenched in atmospheric numbers, is exactly what Dr. Giggles ordered.

Never Ending Night of Terror is yet another solid slab of death metal from Heads for the Dead. Their creative blend of horror atmospherics, keyboards, and song placement is what gets me every time. Yes, there is an uptick in brutality on this album; however, there is also an increase in melody too. The band certainly knows how to blend both together, and that is something one would expect from scene veterans. So eat some skulls, dress in your favorite Halloween costume, and start some damn circle pits to Heads for the Dead, now!!!

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments