Review: “Sarcophagal Corridors” by Desekryptor

Back in 2016 a pair of multi instrumentalists struck up a partnership in order to write Death Metal musing on themes usually associated with Black Metal like blasphemy, desecration and both anti-human and anti-religious rhetoric. Hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana the pair formed an open relationship, also working on many other projects at the same time but always came back to this one love: Desekryptor. A compilation, a pair of demos and a split with Draghkar lead to both an EP “Curse of the Execrated” and a debut full length album “Vortex Oblivion” being unveiled in 2023 and neither show any sign of slowing down. That pair are guitarist and bassist Eric Sanchez (Ritual Laceration, Nuclear Hellfrost, Nak’ay) and drummer and vocalist Phil Segitho (Caver, Ecferus, Savage Ruins)…

Sounding like it was recorded in a damp, dark, cave like dwelling “Sarcophagal Corridors” comes to life with the “Penance of Hemorrhaging Wrath“, a bleak and ominous cut of pure battery acid nausea that has the stench of rotting flesh about it. Churning blackened riffs and a whirlwind of restless and relentless drumming create that atmosphere, the mangled rhythms very much in the vein of bands like Funebrarum or dare we say it, Penny Coffin. After that menacing masterclass in demonic evil the title track “Sarcophagal Corridors” becomes further evidence of blood gargling vocals from Segitho as it rattles the cerebral cortex. A couple of fleeting whammy bar moments will have you cracking an evil grin as the duo tip their hat the the 90’s Florida scene with crunchy raw riffage but the overall formula remains the same: Death Metal from the catacombs to gut your enemies to. Shorter, sharper and equally as lethal, “Leprous Exsanguination” rumbles with that classic sense of esoteric dread, the lead guitars giving it sense of epic evil. It would be the perfect soundtrack to a violent rampage of murderous intent in a low budget zombie movie, it has that energy in its bitter, black heart. “Umbilical Stigmata” is a classically sinister cut of malevolence, aggressive chord progressions painting a portrait in black as Segitho growls in pure hatred. Her ghost lurks in the fog but is only witnessed momentarily, the spellbinding nature of this burnt offering enough to make you want to vomit blood [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Penance of Hemorrhaging Wrath
2. Sarcophagal Corridors
3. Leprous Exsanguination
4. Umbilical Stigmata

“Sarcophagal Corridors” by Desekryptor is out 16th May 2025 via Nuclear Winter Records and is available over at bandcamp.