Review: “Demo MMXXV” by Lugubrious Garment

Conceived in the spring of 2025, Lugubrious Garment is the brainchild of Milan based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and relentless sound explorer Gabriele “GG” Gramaglia (Cosmic Putrefaction, Vertebra Atlantis, Turris Eburnea). Born from the urge to channel darker, more ravenous instinct in comparison with his other ventures, the nightmarish vision is of fast, annihilating Death Metal infused with the raw energy of Black and Speed Metal. For a sonic onslaught that promises to balance resolute aggression with moments of unsettling variation, GG is joined by session drummer Claudio Invidia (Defacement, Devoid of Thought)…

Our intrepid explorers begin their descent to hell with “Of Vengeful Intransigence” a cut that flirts with 90’s American Death Metal riffs and feral demonic vocals before a mid cut spoken word of pure evil. A violent assault on the senses that circles the drain of being frantic and frenetic with powerhouse percussion and sinister riffs galore, it’s a diabolic undertaking that sets the tone for not only the record but the project as a whole. The neck snapping “Emanations of Impure Deities” then roars out of hell’s gate like Satan’s hellhound with a selection of tasty old school Death Metal riffs brought to the table. What you might not expect given the bowl clenching guttural lows is a shrill, high pitched scream which rears its ugly head like her ghost in the fog mid cut. An attention grabbing moment, it serves it purpose without distracting from Invidia’s incredible work behind the kit. A monstrous performance from a musician who clearly understands the requirements placed upon him, his free flowing fills give rise to unexpected nuances that work incredibly well. Another higher pitched scream of anguish appears in the first minute or so of the gripping hellscape that is “Eternal Scars and Imperative Backfires“, a tune which flirts with odd time signatures as it burns to be. GG demonstrates his abilities with lead work for the first time on this one, tearing his way through ravenous riffage that leans into something a little more technical. The result of that is an utter scorcher of pure malevolence that has eerie haunting notes in the final moments. A dark and spellbinding introduction to project with an ocean of potential, this simply leaves you crying out for the next chapter [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Of Vengeful Intransigence
2. Emanations of Impure Deities
3. Eternal Scars and Imperative Backfires

“Demo MMXXV” by Lugubrious Garment is out 31st October 2025 via Nuclear Winter Records and is available over at bandcamp.