Location: Arequipa
Country: Peru
Genre: Horror metal
Full length: Devil Inside
Forrnat: Digital, limited edition gatefold 12" black vinyl, limited edition gatefold 12" transparent red vinyl, limited edition digipack compact disc, limited edition cassette tape black (see Bandcamp link for more information)
Label: We Are Horror Records
Release date: March 30, 2025
The most common images that come to mind when you think of horror in metal are likely werewolves, zombies, occult magic, Kandarian demons and cenobites. Los Morts likewise homages them while pondering what to write about the Creature from the Black Lagoon and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.
On "Devil Inside" they draw inspiration from 40s and 50s horror. In this respect they resemble The Misfits more than brutal death metal bands. That implies that cheesy science fiction and horror can be as metal as well-known figures from more recent times. Only they weren't that cheesy then, since the horror films in question had inventive, science-inspired plots and were evocative and entertaining. That metal has long been socially conscious in one form or another and that fear of nuclear weapons served as inspiration for much 50s sci fi/horror may be another commonality.
Los Morts pays homage to their favorite horror stories with a blend of 80s power metal and thrash metal with contemporary symphonic metal. Their songs are full of atmosphere, precision, and inventive songwriting, and their classic metal vibe makes you feel as though you're watching the films they lyricize for the first time. After the opening "End of Time," "Hellraiser" begins the album with crunch and drive, with enough melody in the vocals to balance their harsh and slightly guttural tone. Occiso's vocals remind me a bit of Lake of Tears' Daniel Brennare on "Headstones."
Being that they’re from Peru, the band displays the slightest shades of South American death metal, which gives the material—especially the thrashy material—additional push. This complements synthesizers that give the songs a depth akin to prog and sporadic Iron Maiden-influenced passages like the one in "John Kramer," inspired by the Jigsaw Killer of the same name from the "Saw" movie series. Together these elements, while not breaking new ground, help to reinterpret the vision of bands that pioneered new ideas in metal, taking it to the next level. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Occiso: Vocals, bass
Giovaxe: Guitars, synthesizers
J. Frankenstein: Drums
Track list:
1. End of Time
2. Hellraiser
3. Devil Inside
4. Every Day is Halloween
5. Monster in the Night
6. I'm a Werewolf
7. John Kramer
8. Necronomicon
9. Dr. Jekyll Curse
10. Creature from the Black Lagoon
11. Undead Love
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