Astriferous: Raise High the Scepter of Indulgence (2019)

Hailing from Costa Rica, of all places, is Astriferous.  The death metal band has released their first demo earlier this year, and has been getting high praise from Decibel, among other underground metal media.  So, of course, I decided to check it out as well.

Astriferous features two members of the impressive Bloodsoaked Necrovoid, so they are not brand new to the metal game.  The band's name means something to the effect of bearing stars and it fits the band well.  The sound of the riffs and the lyrics bring to mind Lovecraftian cosmic horror.  It is a cold and merciless sound with brain-melting riffs and desiccated vocals.

The band's sound is an unholy concoction of old-school Finnish death metal, such as Convulse or Demilich, and some of the dirtier early U.S. death metal bands like Autopsy, Immolation and Incantation.  It is an extremely caustic and volatile mix that results in an otherworldly sound on this short demo. 

The length is the only downside to this demo, but that is to be expected with a quick demo.  Astriferous is extremely impressive.  I am looking forward to more.