Review: “Bound By Affliction” by Final Resting Place

They say that idle hands are the Devils workshop, meaning that those without purpose are more like to get involved or distracted by things they shouldn’t. But when your logo in a tribute to Long Island, New Yorkers Entorturement and the art of your debut EP a tribute to “Destined to Fail” by Scattered Remnants, doesn’t that mean you’re already doing the Devil’s work? After all those bands both operated in the realms of Brutal Death Metal with similar themes in destruction, evil and death. Who the f*** are we talking about? We’re talking about Final Resting Place, an underground Death Metal and Hardcore supergroup comprising Dom Pabon of Simulakra fame on vocals, guitarist duo Michael Marino of Blood Runs Cold and Sanction and Alex Deheza of Discontent, bassist John Hayes of Devil Master and formerly Slutlust and drummer Nick Herrmann of Detriment, Living Weapon, Separated and formerly Vomit Forth. They make heavy music heavily influenced by the 90’s Death Metal scene and made their debut twelve months ago with EP “Prelude To Extinction“. That offered death growls, snare driven drums and of course pulverizing breakdowns…

…when it was first uploaded to streaming platforms, the first record from Final Resting Place was listed as having a release date of 19th April 1995. For those not in the know, that was the date of the infamous Oklahoma City Bombing and with sophomore record “Bound By Affliction” the quintet repeat that intriguing curiosity. For this one with seemingly no rhyme or explained reasoning, the date listed is 20th April 1999 which is that of the Columbine High School massacre. Rather than setting the place on fire immediately, introduction piece “Psychosis” offers 49 seconds of ambient noise in haunting, eerie melody. That is of course short-lived as opening cut proper “Descent To Dementia” is a raw, primitive and savage beating that sounds like it was recorded live on the floor in the quintets practice space. Spine juddering jackhammer footwork and blood gargling vocals accompany Beatdown Hardcore inspired Death Metal riffs galore as a mid tempo vice grip skull crushing unfolds and at points its as if the microphones are vibrating with the weight of the downright ugly and depraved sounds. A lethal inject of Metallic Hardcore riffs, adrenaline and blast beats gives “Forbidden Knowledge” new life, the drum sound reminiscent of Twitch Of The Death Nerve. A pulverising display from start to finish with bludgeoning qualities, the vocals remain the single harshest aspect despite the band producing sonic abrasions at an alarming rate.

There is of course a nostalgic quality to the sound that comes from tape trading days back in the early 90’s where bands would push cassette tape demos to underground fans in hope of scoring a record deal. It is alleged that this EP was recorded and mixed at Mass Casualty and mastered at The Daze Mansion but lets be clear. There is absolutely no polish on this. Its warts and all with the bowel clenching gravelly lows of the vocals designed to trigger a brain haemorrhage for the discerning listener. Blasting their way through “Burning Revelation“, which is arguably Nick Herrmann’s finest work on the record, the quintet ensure that if there is any rubble left of the venue after the show, it will disintegrate into dust as soon as the wind blows. Yes, the sinister and menacing qualities of this one are that good. Last but by no means least, the title track “Bound By Affliction” comes out swinging with a bit more swagger and groove in the riff department, clearly designed for some two step madness when played live. That doesn’t mean there is any scrimping on the anvil heavy nature of the beast though and a fleeting whammy bar moment may be all the encouragement you need to get into the pit… [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Psychosis
2. Descent To Dementia
3. Forbidden Knowledge
4. Burning Revelation
5. Bound By Affliction

“Bound By Affliction” by Final Resting Place is out 7th February 2025 via Daze