Review: “Silver Bullet” by Necronomicon Ex Mortis

Born of a mutual love of low budget horror films, classic Death Metal and 80’s shred worship in Chicago, Necronomicon Ex Mortis aren’t content with releasing simply their debut self titled EP in 2023. So returning to the grindstone in their basement torture chamber hell, the quintet have prepared for us a second burnt offering in “Silver Bullet” as bassist Yusuf Rashid refuses to return to playing Jazz music for people to listen to in elevators, despite his parents protests. He’s joined once again by guitarist and mastermind Michael Nystrom Bala, his riff slinging compatriot Manuel Barbará (who had nothing better to do), drummer extraordinaire Joey Ferretti and the demon summoning vocalist that is Craig Schmuhl. So we anticipate thrills, spills, pizza, beer and gore accompanied by a nuclear threat level of riffs…

We can not deny that we praised the self titled debut of Necronomicon Ex Mortis to the hilt, our tiny minds blown by the sheer quality of musicianship on display for a debut record. The band are a well oiled machine, they’re not looking to find their sound with their song writing, they have that nailed already. So the expectations of this one are incredibly high before a first note is even heard and rightly so. Suffice to say, the five piece don’t disappoint, not only matching but surpassing the qualities of that first record this time around. They have done so by sticking to task and doing what they do best without overthinking it. They haven’t gone all Nu-Metal or tried some experimental keyboard nonsense in order to gain greater appeal in an oversaturated mass market. Instead they’ve gorged on their influences and thrown down the gauntlet to others in the Death Metal scene to dance with the devil and reap the whirlwind. Combining barbed vocals and a couple of face melting flamboyant solos, “Crypt of the Gorilla God” gives us sustenance to sedate the raging blood lust in our veins. An 80’s Death Metal orientated riff fest with Thrash overtones and Progressive moments, it’s the kind of statement piece that other bands would kill for at this stage of a fledgling career. A tale of primordial monsters living in the dark waters, “The Swamp” finds Necronomicon Ex Mortis at their storytelling finest, evolving a tale in classical fashion while having some moments in the guitar work that wouldn’t be out of place if they were written by Scott Carstairs for a Fallujah record. Somehow they have taken the bare bones that surround them and carved them intro intricate designs that leap between Metal sub-genres with death defying consummate ease. There is so much depth and texture than you’d usually expect to find in these songs… but be warned, stay away from the swamp.

Sounding like it has been inspired by the soundscapes that accompany John Carpenter movies “Cycle of the Werewolf” embraces sinister darkness with an 80’s synth warmth to provide an introduction piece and evil palette cleanser for the EP title track “Silver Bullet“. Perfectly weighted, its mere presence means that the guitars can fly out of hells gate like Dungeon Whippets at Satan’s dog track. A demonstration of power in the light of the moon, it showcases the skills of Ferretti behind the kit who gives the kind of performance that Gene Hoglan would be proud of. A solo that borders on virtuoso is nothing short of immense as the fretboards smoulder with riffs of the highest order, all played at the tempo of the damned. You have to wonder just how long it will be before these Gentlemen find themselves playing the Summer Slaughter Tour because that’s exactly where they should be [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Crypt of the Gorilla God
2. The Swamp
3. Cycle of the Werewolf
4. Silver Bullet

“Silver Bullet” by Necronomicon Ex Mortis is out 11th August 2023 with pre-orders available over at bandcamp.