Review: “Languishing in Theurgical Obsolescence” by Twitch of the Death Nerve

It may have been three years since they last committed a confession to tape but the return of London’s finest Technical Brutal Death Metal trio Twitch Of The Death Nerve to celebrate yet another resurrection-free Easter Sunday with double a side “Languishing in Theurgical Obsolescence” couldn’t be more timely. Produced by guitarist and vocalist Tom Bradfield, who is once again joined by bassist Tom Carter and drummer Mauro Marín, it unassumingly marks the 20th anniversary of the bands formation in 2004. Admittedly there have been several gaping holes in the bands career left by shotgun blasts they’ve taken to the chest but they remain heroes after naming themselves after a classic 1971 horror movie by Mario Bava…

Not so much dripping as soaked to the skin in their trademark nihilism, “Languishing in Theurgical Obsolescence” picks up where 2021 EP “Beset By False Prophets” left off as if Twitch of the Death Nerve never left the studio. Marín’s artillery shelling percussive battery provides the covering fire, rattling like at M230 Bushmaster Chain Gun mounted to a helicopter with brutal blasting and jackhammer footwork. Carter’s fleeting bass solo is masterstroke but it’s the non-stop menacing, sinister and downright disgusting riffs from Bradfield that are what makes this one a masterclass in Brutal Slamming Death Metal. His calloused hands work the fretboard like pizza dough in the hands of an Italian chef while his bowl clenching gravely low vocals are an instrument of destruction rather than anything you might comprehend. His lyrics require translation and that is part of the fun. Tipping the hat to the early career of Swedish Death Metal legends Hypocrisy and 1993 album “Osculum Obscenum” isn’t necessarily something that we saw coming but this rip roaring rendition of “Pleasure of Molestation” is by no means a filler track here. A violently turbulent rampage, this one is a headbangers delight as Twitch of the Death Nerve tighten up a few bolts which have been loose for a long time and refine the track in the fires of hell itself, threatening to boil over into the realms of Deathgrind in the process. A fretboard smoking solo in the final moments is what the edge of the seat was made for and this two track affair is the most fun you can have without sacrificing a virgin at the altar of madness. Be warned. The boys are back in town and they’re out for blood… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Languishing in Theurgical Obsolescence
2. Pleasure of Molestation (Hypocrisy cover)

“Languishing in Theurgical Obsolescence” by Twitch of the Death Nerve was released on 31st March 2024 and is available over at bandcamp.