10th April 2026

Review: “When Your Eyes Are Shut” by Mauled

A little over under eleven months after their self titled six track EP dropped on our skulls like a grand piano from the fourth floor of an apartment building, Indianapolis, Indiana Deathcore collective Mauled have returned. They have a third EP titled “When Your Eyes Are Shut” produced by Dom Maduri (The Callous Daoboys, Bummer Hill, Until Mourning) under their arm like a stolen VCR and are looking for a quick sale. Cash only. It’s been four years of dedication to craft from vocalist Abe Kirkpatrick, bassist DJ Parker G, drummer Tyler Powers alongside guitarist duo Chance York and Eli Harrell but having shared stages with the likes of Fit For An Autopsy and The Convalescence in the past twelve months, it seems they have wild ambition.

An introduction piece that feels like it’s cut straight from a horror movie “Untitled” has that garbled feel before the voice of a serial killer makes a proclamation. Cleverly constructed, that builds a sense of tension and darker atmosphere that then flows into first cut proper “Mouthful Of Glass“. Frankie Palmeri of Emmure is the guest vocalist and that seems to give license to Kirkpatrick to produce one of his most vicious performances in reckless, skull splitting abandon. The down-tuned riffs are so brutal that the whole song feels like one non stop breakdown and the bass slaps so hard it will knock your teeth out.

If you thought the earthquake was over, guess again because the tremors keep coming with the potent “TheLastThingYouSee” confirming that once these songs get played live, there is not only going to be mosh pit violence but people are going to end up in hospital. The shriller vocal moments are as barbed as they come, throwing in some gang chants and a savage downtempo breakdown before the bitter end makes for a masterful combination and the pig squeals at the end? Chef’s kiss.

There are a few 2003 era American Metalcore riffs floating about this record, influenced by the Gothenburg sound in Melodic Death Metal and while they’re often fleeting they’re a wonderful nostalgic throwback that chemically enhances everything nicely. Some of those are in the classy “Unidentifiable Autopsy”, a well crafted mid-tempo heavy hitter that is designed to turn brains to pulp and has the kind of breakdown that dreams are made of.

Rolling up their sleeves, Mauled offer up a Death Metal infused opening to “Drop Dead Gorgeous” before floating through Deathcore into Melodic Death Metal with mournful melancholic leads as the track flows though. A display of variation that is very much the spice of life while still having all the breakdown power and demonic vocal screams, it’s evidence that there is more to this band than meets the ear. The same can be said of the melodic final puzzle piece “For Me… It’s Always Like This“, an acoustic instrumental with strange background sounds that feels like you’re watching the sunrise after a killing spree [7.5/10]

Track Listing