Review: “The Veil of Death Closed In” by The Stygian Complex

They say you should expect the unexpected but in an age where there are very few real surprises, wrapped in artwork by Daniel Burris of Death Looms Over Design and mastered by Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, The Contortionist) a new EP from The Stygian Complex was genuinely the last thing we expected in 2025. That’s simply because the Lexington North Carolina Slamming Deathcore brutes imploded shortly after releasing their debut album “Suffer With Me” in February 2024, going their separate ways with irreconcilable differences. Having left scorched earth and a trail of dead in their wake for six years at that point it seemed a harsh reality when they had achieved so much to that point with three EPs showing serious progression in perpetual forward motion. However it seems that there is unfinished business and going back to basics as a two piece, vocalist and lyricist Kyler Cheek is once again joined by multi instrumentalist Brendan Murphy for “The Veil of Death Closed In“…

Having previously used the skills of Bound In Fear guitarist Keir Campbell (Detest, Capital Murder) and Bodysnatcher drummer Chris Whited (Traitors, Nylist, Sorrorweaver) at 1776 Recordings to mix their previously released material, this time out the pair take on that role themselves for the four tracks that comprise the record. By the time “Death Will Reign” has connected with your jaw like an unexpected fist in a drunken bar brawl, it’s safe to say that they made the right choice. A heavy hitting track with the power to cause avalanches, pardon the cliché but this one picks up where “Suffer With Me” left off as if the pair never left the studio, screaming “We’re back bitches!” from the rooftops in the process. If it’s a drum machine it’s in total overdrive for the most part with Cheek’s blood gargling vocals enough to put the fear of god into your neighbours children when you blast this shit loud. It does cut a little short, the only criticism of it being that it could quite happily go another verse and chorus. “Worthless” is just as vicious as the opening track, if not more so with Cheek pitching shriller vocal moments against deeper growls to create the impression of a twin headed beast when there is but one. The guitars bounce with sinister urge and malicious intent, the bass often acting as a weapon of rhythmic punishment, heavy in the mix. Cheek offers some Slam vocal moments in the skull battering “Execution Tactic“, using his throat as an instrument as much as he offers up comprehensible lyrics. After a blistering start the track slows to downtempo groove in slick fashion, allowing the dark and sombre mood to permeate the rotting flesh. Title track “The Veil of Death Closed In” is another violent delight, a delicious morsel of mouth-watering sonic abrasions, rampaging guitars charging through the streets with flavours of Vulvodynia. It may not be written anywhere you’ll find it but if you read the lyrics this record is a hate filled poison pen letter to someone who crossed the band, a cathartic release and a statement of displeasure. This is an absolute scorcher, a portrait in gnarled, hateful Slamming Deathcore with all the hallmarks of a band hellbent on not giving up their dream [8/10]

Track listing:

1. Death Will Reign
2. Worthless
3. Execution Tactic
4. The Veil of Death Closed In

“The Veil of Death Closed In” by The Stygian Complex is out 23rd May 2025 via Crestfallen Records and is available over at bandcamp.