Release Date June 12th, 2026
Format CD/LP/Cassette/Digital
Genre Death Metal
Origin USA
Goetia came together in Washington, DC during the fall of 2022, bringing bassist and vocalist Matt Scott, guitarist Demir Soyer, and drummer Nadia Tydings-Lynch into a lineup built from previous collaborations in Perpetuated. Their first two EPs, followed by a 7-inch release, established an underground presence through constant touring and a steady stream of material rooted in old school death metal and occult themes. Sharing stages with acts such as Altars, Vastum, and Healing Magic helped the trio sharpen their approach, while the chemistry between the members became one of the band's defining traits. Instead of stretching into progressive territory or chasing modern production trends, Goetia has stayed committed to savage, fast-paced death metal inspired by names like Morbid Angel, Terrorizer, and Kreator, with an emphasis on speed, aggressive riffing, frequent guitar solos, and relentless drumming.
"Mortuary Cult" expands the ideas introduced on the earlier EPs and builds them into a full-length centered on a cemetery in the Washington, DC suburbs, with stories inspired by death, the occult, and supernatural imagery. Recorded by Matt Michel at Viva Studio and mixed by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios, the album has a raw but balanced production. The guitars sit at the front with an endless stream of riffs and solos, the bass holds a noticeable presence throughout, and Nadia Tydings-Lynch's drumming rarely lets the tempo settle for long. Matt Scott's vocals stay deep and aggressive without becoming one-dimensional, adding another layer to the album's bleak atmosphere. The songwriting sticks to concise structures, avoiding unnecessary detours, with most songs moving quickly from one idea to the next. There is little interest in slowing down or experimenting, the focus stays on old school death metal played with energy and commitment.
The album succeeds most when the riffs lock into memorable patterns and the guitar leads inject extra excitement into the songs. There is no shortage of intensity, and the trio sound completely invested in what they are playing. The rhythm section remains active throughout, helping the songs stay engaging even when the formulas repeat. At the same time, some sections blur together because the pace rarely changes, making the latter part of the album less distinctive than the opening half. The constant barrage of blast beats and rapid-fire riffing occasionally limits the impact of individual moments because the album spends so much time operating at maximum speed.
"Mortuary Cult" reflects a band with a firm grasp of traditional death metal and enough songwriting ability to hold attention across its running time. Listeners looking for technical acrobatics or adventurous songwriting may come away wanting more variety, though anyone who values fast, riff-driven death metal with an old school spirit will have little trouble finding reasons to return. This is a promising first full-length that shows Goetia has established a strong foundation, even if there is space for further growth on future releases.
|7.5
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