Release Date May 8th, 2026
Format CD/Vinyl
Genre Thrash Metal
Origin Costa Rica
Hailing from San José, Costa Rica, Höwler entered the scene in 2009. The band established their presence across Latin America over the years by sharing stages with underground forces like D.R.I., Whiplash, Angelus Apatrida, Destruction, Destroyer 666, and Malón. Their discography consists of four full-length records: "Back To Madness" in 2014, "Fallen But Not Forgotten" in 2018, "No More Circus" in 2020, and "Descendants Of Evil" in 2022. Now, the outfit returns with a new configuration to unleash their fifth studio effort.
With "Beyond Mortal Control," Höwler comes back as a three-piece line-up. This shift in the roster impacts the music, which sounds like a concentrated dose of old-school aggression mixed with high precision. Released through CDN Records, the album moves away from bloated arrangements. The tracks possess a dark edge, featuring a tighter delivery than their past material. “Beyond Mortal Control” pushes Höwler deeper into darker and more aggressive territory without losing the old school thrash spirit that shaped the band from the beginning. The
album fires out riff after riff with real intensity, and the stripped down three-piece setup gives the material a sharper edge. There is a constant sense of urgency running through the songs, with fast tempos, hostile energy and a raw attack that never slips into excess. The songwriting stays focused, avoiding pointless detours and overstretched arrangements.
The guitar work is aggressive and precise, built around fast picking, heavy rhythm sections and plenty of classic thrash spirit rooted in the late 80s tradition. At the same time, Höwler inject enough darker tones into the material to stop the album from sounding nostalgic or overly familiar. The drumming drives the entire album forward with relentless speed, while the vocals spit out every line with anger and intensity that fit the music naturally. The production also suits the album well, giving the instruments enough power without sanding away the rougher edges that thrash metal needs.
Höwler avoids overcrowding the material with unnecessary ideas and instead focus on aggression, pacing and strong riff construction. Some sections can blur together after repeated listens, especially during the album’s fastest stretches, and a few songs could have used more variation in tempo or atmosphere. Even so, the album rarely loses momentum and stays committed to its violent and energetic direction.
With “Beyond Mortal Control”, Höwler delivers a fierce thrash metal album packed with aggression, speed and dark energy. It’s a focused and intense release from a band that has clearly tightened its identity over the years, and while not every moment leaves a lasting mark, the album succeeds through sheer determination and sharp execution. For those into traditional thrash with an aggressive edge and clean execution, this new chapter delivers a good enough experience.
| 7.5
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