Review: “Mortichnia” by Egocide

Born as the bastard child in an abusive relationship, caught between the violence of Death Metal and the power of Hardcore, Italian quintet Egocide have been gradually evolving their sound since humble beginnings in 2016. They released their debut EP “What Price for Freedom​?” independently in 2017 and swiftly followed it with their debut full length album “Chapter One: Cheap Existentialism and Other Rhetorical Bulls***s No One Wants to Hear Anymore” a year later. Citing influences in bands such as Dying Fetus, Slayer and Discharge, their next taped confession is titled “Mortichnia” and refers to the final walk, the walk of death. Soaked in themes of suicide, violence and depression, it is said to speak in anger towards everything and everyone as it burns in the flames of self immolation.

In a nod to their love of Hardcore Punk the lethal dose of Italian hatred that is “Afterborn Inhuman Abortion” starts with a bass solo before reaching ramming speed with the ferocity of Death Metal. An urgent tirade from the venomous tongue of vocalist Erik Grazioli, it plays out with one and two punch combinations fusing elements of Metallic Hardcore to the adamantium skeleton. That means you get bursts of blast beats, a scorcher of a solo and some sizzling leads from Simone Mazzardi as well as pummelling rhythms and a couple of powerhouse breakdowns. The balance is key and it has to be said that with this brutal opening cut they find it with the verve and swagger of a band who know exactly what they’re doing. The intensity remains the same with “Not Thanks To You“, a pile driver of a tune that has Groove Metal sensibilities that will command mosh pits when performed live, not to mention a ripper of an extended solo. The vocal bark becomes bite as Grazioli demonstrates his death growling abilities, the band making great use of vocal layering to underpin that with some shriller backing vocals from rhythm guitarist Gabriele Messena.

The storm breaks for a moment of melody at the start of “Behead The Man Of God” which finds Egocide proving they can do atmosphere exceptionally well if the so desire. There won’t be many who would consider a band of this stature as one who would decide to write a cut that eclipses the seven minute mark but that’s exactly what they do with this magnum opus, pulling out every trick in the book and giving us something that sounds like it was influenced by the self titled album from Cleveland Ohio bruisers Chimaira. Rich lead guitars soar with almost melancholic melodies, the rhythm section the driving force behind it all with the opportunity for clean vocals left behind with the glorious extended instrumental passages. After such a beast of a track it may come as no surprise that “Nero Riflesso” (or “Black Reflection“) is a 146 seconds of punchy violent turbulence, the five piece opting for rapid fire riffs to match the blood thirsty vocal from Grazioli. It’s one of two back to back cuts in the bands native tongue, something which perhaps adds a sharper edge to the vocal performance.

“Tensione Superficiale” (or “Surface Tension“) is the second of those Italian language pieces, the band climbing from the tar pit with slow menacing crawl that tells you something wicked this way comes. A nuanced bass solo and interesting drum patterns burst into Death Metal flames with some savage riffs and fist pumping gang chants. The solo is as crazy as the final verse is brutal and there is no denying how fun it all is when pieced together. Pushing their boundaries by flirting with some Technical and Progressive Death Metal moments in an extended instrumental ignites the flames of “The Leading Path” offering plenty of intrigue. When the vocals finally surface in the final minute, Grazioli is a man on a mission, spitting blood in the face of his enemies in a single savage verse. The surprise is that the track ends at that point because it could easily have gone on for twice its duration without anyone batting an eyelid. There is however plenty of potential for a sequel so perhaps that will come with the bands next record.

There are vocals from the very start of “Intrusive Thoughts“, a brutal roar from Grazioli resonating with everyone who has suffered from the kind of thoughts the track is about, suffering the sleepless nights and endless restlessness that often comes with them. The guitars are slick, taking the discerning listener into Groove Death territory as Grazioli seeks catharsis from his pain, the shriller screamed backing vocals from Messena once again working incredibly well. A banger of a tune that will leave you breathless its arguably the biggest stand out from a phenomenal collection. If you’ve heard the eponymous track from Bury Your Dead then you’ll know what “Ghost Track” is all about. A single line gang chant wrapped around 55 seconds of riffage and a tight rhythm where everyone in packed audience can gather around a microphone and scream into it. A fantastic way to close a blistering album packed full of blazing riffs and nuance with plenty of bark and bite. [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Afterborn Inhuman Abortion
2. Not Thanks To You
3. Behead The Man Of God
4. Nero Riflesso
5. Tensione Superficiale
6. The Leading Path
7. Intrusive Thoughts
8. Ghost Track

“Mortichnia” by Egocide is out 19th September 2025 via Dusktone and is available over at bandcamp