Review: “Deathstyle” by Deficit

“Deathstyle is not only the title of the track, it’s the very embodiment of Deficit’s sound, “Death” refers to our roots in Metal, Hardcore, Death Metal, and Deathcore, while “Style” captures the groove, catchiness, and swagger that define our identity. It’s the definition of Deficit’s own unique genre.” ~ Deficit

The hotbed of Metal talent that is Australia may yet birth another giant in Deficit, a band forged in the flames of the Sydney scene who already have a fierce reputation for pushing boundaries with unapologetic pulverizing sonic intensity. Nathan Newman, Macleane Ryan, Michael Campbell, Blake Fry and Zak Borg have created no less than four EPs and have millions of streams to show for their efforts. They have numerous sold out tour support slots under their collective belts too having opened for everyone from Ocean Sleeper to Alpha Wolf and Diamond Construct to Malevolence…

A collection of short, sharp shocks that are the metaphorical equivalent of the thrill of pissing on electric fence, the record begins with the Nu-Metalcore heat bringer that is  “Suffocate//Deadweight“. Programming bridges the gaps between rap screams and dynamic aggressive riffs, the five piece blending catchy lines that get stuck in your head with pummeling breakdowns to get you banging your head. “FYA” finds the Australians joined by Jay Webster from former tour partners UnityTX and his guest vocal adds a spice that’s nice to this savage beating that falls somewhere between Metallic Hardcore, Nu-Metal and Deathcore. Violent chugs, lurching bass lines and double kick footwork bring it home in fearfully addictive style and you can’t help but feeling like that the band are circling the drain of Nu-Metal revival in a good way. Title track “Deathstyle” is fuel for that fire with turntable action and electronics to chemically enhance the crunchy guitars and thunderous percussion, bleeding into territory that is usually home to bands like the Dropout Kings. To be honest while its a little bit of a cliche, its hard not to chant “get down with the death style!” on the first spin.

Jeremy Cuevas of Life Cycles joins the party for “Step Up” as Deficit piss on graves to f*** up the memories with some weighty Nu-Metalcore groove and swagger. It’s abundantly clear that the band have plenty of confidence in this material with some of the riffs sounding like they belong to a Slipknot demo from the “Iowa” era. The same can be said of “Bloodsport” which has that comfort and instant appeal in familiarity while also being different enough to stand up on its own too feet. The five piece continue to punch above their collective weight with down tuned riffs that are the push that make you move, opting for pulsating groove laden rhythms over anything flamboyant or virtuoso. Drum patterns and programming might even take us all the way back to “Revolution Revolución” by Ill Nino with “Final Boss” as Deficit introduce almost tribal rhythms and a couple of clean sung lines. A record that wears its diverse influences upon its sleeves and lets them bleed through the bandages, “Deathstyle” should be more than enough to take Deficit to the outposts of North America [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Suffocate//Deadweight
2. FYA (ft. Jay Webster of UnityTX)
3. Deathstyle
4. Step Up (ft. Jeremy Cuevas of Life Cycles)
5. Bloodsport
6. Final Boss

“Deathstyle” by Deficit is out 21st November 2025