Exhumation/Funeral Chant |Sacred Oath: Temple Of Death |Carbonized Records

Release Date April 3^rd, 2026
Format CD/LP/Cassette/Digital
Genre Death Metal
Origin Indonesia, USA

Exhumation crawled out of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, back in 2008 with a thirst for primordial filth. After their debut "Hymn To Your God" put them on the map, they spent years sharpening their blades through several full-lengths and splits, turning into a beast that blends rabid thrash speed with a thick, suffocating atmosphere. On the other side of this pact, Funeral Chant has been rotting in the Oakland underground since 2014. These Californians have spent the last decade dodging every shiny trend in the book, opting instead for a raw, frenzied attack that draws blood from the old-school vein of total death and black metal insanity.

This split, "Sacred Oath: Temple Of Death", is a nasty collision between two different corners of the globe that share the same obsession with the macabre. Exhumation kicks things off by dragging you into a vortex of twisting riffs and solos that sound like they were recorded in a basement filled with bones. The Indonesian crew has a way of making their songs sound like a wild ride through a graveyard, where the production is just rough enough to stay dangerous. They aren't here to play nice; they just want to bury you under a mountain of heavy, vibrating strings and drums that sound like a stampede.

When Funeral Chant takes over, the vibe shifts into a more manic, black-hearted frenzy. Their tracks on "Sacred Oath: Temple Of Death" are a middle finger to anyone looking for a clean, melodic experience. The guitars are jagged, and the vocals sound like they are coming from a throat filled with dirt. It is a noisy, frantic mess in the best way possible, staying true to that raw underground spirit they have been cultifying in the Bay Area. They play with a relentless energy that makes you want to smash things, keeping the speed high and the mercy low.

The production on this whole thing is a win for anyone who hates the sound of modern, over-produced metal. Having James Plotkin handle the mastering was a smart move, as he kept the grime intact while making sure the low end actually has some kick. You can hear the struggle and the sweat in the recordings, from the Indonesian drums to the Californian guitar screams. It sounds like a real session in a dark room, not a series of computer blips. It is refreshing to hear a split where both bands actually sound like they are trying to out-disgust each other.

If you are looking for something to relax to, keep walking. "Sacred Oath: Temple Of Death" is a violent, ugly pairing that reminds everyone why the underground stays alive. While it is a bit of a short burst, the intensity level stays high enough to leave a mark. Both Exhumation and Funeral Chant delivered exactly what they promised: a trip into a temple where death is the only thing on the menu. It is loud, it is mean, and it smells like a tomb.

Score: 8.0