Location: Florida
Country: USA
Genre: Death metal
Full length: Screams from Beneath the Surface
Format: Digital, vinyl (see Bandcamp link for more information)
Label: Metal Blade
Release date: March 13, 2026
Since their formation in 1990, Floridian death metal pioneers Monstrosity have remained dedicated to their craft, demonstrating resilience and growth.
As part of the original DM scene, they had the distinction of being fronted by vocalist George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher who later joined Cannibal Corpse after Chris Barnes’ departure. Although most of the original members left since they began, introducing new members has revitalized them exponentially.
After seven years of inactivity, “Screams from Beneath the Surface” shows massive growth on their part with shades of thrash, prog and symphonic metal. Rather than making efforts to out-brutal noted DM pioneers with the same longevity they take other sub-genres of metal, attach them to their traditional formula, brutalize them and forge their own evolutionary path.
The band underwent a meticulous process of recording and producing at different studios with Jim Morris (Savatage, Iced Earth) and Jason Suecof (Deicide, The Black Dahlia Murder). The lines between those subgenres disappear as if Monstrosity had always been a prog-death-thrash band.
Understanding the importance of developing song structure, band and producers paid special attention to balancing fury and finesse. The brutality is there, but this time it’s not their be-all-end-all; it less regimented as people might think as it naturally allows for more melody and dexterity to enter the picture, especially where the symphonic flavored solos.
The techniques of DM, thrash and classic metal are so tightly fused together it almost sounds like a new subgenre is being pioneered here. I’d go so far as to say “Screams from Beneath the Surface” compares as much to Testament and Kreator as to DM mainstays, and as such takes another leap toward validating DM’s capacity for advancement.
The band’s maturity comes from their giving each other equal room to contribute to the material, as much as the band and those who worked on the production. The bass tracks, mixed just enough to contribute color to the material, enhance the guitars with the notes they hit. The percussion, reminding us of the band’s DM roots, likewise allows license for the band to elaborate and expand. By accident or on purpose, the close knit method by which everyone worked together gives the material something present in greater quantities than you would have expected: heavy emotion.
Before joining Monstrosity as vocalist in 2021, Ed Webb worked with Massacre, Diabolic, and Fleshreaper, Here he emphasizes his years of experience in DM and death-thrash vocals, projecting an old school tone from the gut to deliver clipped lines and sustained growls, employing his vocal cords to articulate each phrase. This technique, occasionally flavored with high-pitched howls, establishes presence over the complex instrumentation behind him.
Taking its own direction without following any guidelines, “Screams from Beneath the Surface” is a push for Monstrosity to be given credit for their role in US death metal and validated the band’s determination to stay in the game. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Ed Webb: Vocals
Matt Barnes: Guitars
Justin Walker: Guitars
Mark van Erp: Bass
Lee Harrison: Drums
Track list:
1. Banished to the Skies
2. The Colossal Rage
3. The Atrophied
4. Spiral
5. Fortunes Engraved in Blood
6. Vapors
7. The Thorns
8. Blood Works
9. The Dark Aura
10. Veil of Disillusion
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