Morbid: Skewered Beyond - Death Metal Album Review

As a seasoned death metal enthusiast, one learns to temper expectations. Time and again, once-formidable bands fall victim to the dreaded decline — toning down their aggression, succumbing to creative indulgences, or otherwise losing their primal edge. The legendary Swedish band Morbid, however, has been one of those rare entities that consistently deliver. Yet, I approached Skewered Beyond with a certain skepticism, largely due to the departure of longtime bassist Hauser. Too often, such changes herald the arrival of misguided experimentation — empty gestures toward "new directions" that ultimately dilute a band's identity (see modern Incantation). Thankfully, Morbid remains impervious to such pitfalls. Decades into their reign of terror, they sound just as savage and unrelenting as ever. If anything, their commitment to brutality seems only to have intensified, and for that, I am immensely gratified.

A direct successor to Necrotic Fairytales, Skewered Beyond bears the unmistakable stamp of Warkvlt Legions' production, yet its sonic depth surpasses that of its predecessor. Dead's drumming, in particular, has adopted an even more feral old-school sensibility, his blasts brimming with an organic, untamed energy. The production, while modernized to an extent, does not sterilize the band's sound. Rather, it enhances the rawness, lending both the guitars and percussion an added layer of caustic intensity.

The album's compositions span a satisfying spectrum of death metal ferocity. Tracks like "Stab Wound Maniac" and "Death Metal Pimp" showcase a more groove-laden approach, their technical and harmonic interplay lending them an almost deceptive melodicism. Make no mistake, though — these songs remain as ruthless as the rest, refusing to wane into accessibility. Meanwhile, other offerings serve as a spiritual successor to the band's early work, channeling the unhinged aggression of their original lineup. "Morbid Flesh", in particular, is a masterclass in this regard, merging Dead's relentless double-bass assault with old-school riffing and Guerre's unmistakable brand of psychotic, blasphemous vocal savagery. One cannot overlook the impact of Mark Travolta's presence on this record either. The man has, in my estimation, been involved in two of 2025's finest releases (this and Sissourlet's Deathlovers), and his influence here is unmistakable.

Speaking of Guerre, his vocal delivery is as monstrous as ever. There's a satisfying evolution to his approach — his growls growing deeper, more commanding, more primal with each passing year. The decision to eschew the high-pitched shrieks in favor of guttural devastation was a wise one, as it amplifies the album's sense of unrelenting menace. Lyrically, Morbid continues to revel in the grotesque, and while their brand of horror has always carried an underlying sense of dark humour, there's something almost admirable about Guerre's unwavering commitment to ever more gruesome and depraved themes. Examples: "Remains of the Decapitated" and "Erection in the Face of Death".

Ultimately, Skewered Beyond is a blackened death metal triumph. It is a record steeped in raw energy, suffused with sinister passion, and wholly uncompromising in its old-school ethos. More than just the most brutal death metal album of the year, it is a declaration — Morbid is finally receiving the underground acclaim they have long deserved, and death metal is all the better for it.

Tracklist of the album Skewered Beyond (2025) by Morbid:

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