Review: “Global Dominion” by Undertakers

Wrapped in artwork by Inchiostro Lisergico (Weedzing, Ferum, Entropia) a new record from Italian hate bringers Undertakers feels long overdue. Trapped in the Bermuda triangle between Grindcore, Hardcore and Death Metal, the ten track affair produced, mixed and mastered by guitarist Stefano Casanica with assistance from bassist Marco Mastrobuono is called  “Global Dominion” and is their first since 2020’s “Dictatorial Democracy“. In keeping with their previous politically charged and socially aware musings, this one explores themes of power, control and submission in contemporary society. They’ve been ripping up the script since 1991 while going toe to toe in the live arena with too many bands to name but Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation have been amongst them.

Air raid sirens sound the nuclear apocalypse with introduction “Call To Arms“, the quintet taking a moment before hitting us with a blistering moment of defiance in “United Front“. The lyrical narrative has themes you might usually associate with Hardcore like turning individual struggles into a collective clenched fist but the soundscape is very much a genre blending experience. Hardcore Punk melodies, Grindcore urgency and Death Metal intensity are all part and parcel of the tune, which  clocks in at less than three minutes and sounds like Max Cavalera’s Nailbomb project on steroids. That’s in part down to the gravelly vocals from Enrico Giannone who has been screaming in our ears for long enough to give us tinnitus.

Title track “Global Dominion” feels like a statement of intent, the metronome machine gun drumming and abrasive guitars cutting against Giannone’s vocals as he roars “We seek the truth!“, the elder statesmen proving that not only does the fire still burn but that they still have what it takes to be the push that makes you move. While this one is an angry anthem with some tasteful scream-a-long moments, it’s also one to give you pause for thought once the feedback fades out. A sample introduces “All Out War” in style, the track a rampage through the backwater swamps with flavours of Poison Idea and Lamb Of God in the riff department. That probably tells you just own varied this sonic assault on the senses is and that is part of the joy of it because there are absolutely no borders or boundaries.

There are the angular riffage of rage fest “Plutocracy Era” will make you want to snap your neck, the quintet sticking to doing us dirty with their rhythmic insanity rather than chasing embellishments down Alice’s rabbit hole. There is a lot to be said for the bands direct approach with both Giorgio Cifuni and Stefano Casanica having a wealth of earworm riffs in their arsenal. Continuing the narrative about systems that both benefit us and crush us at the same time “Iron Regime” takes us to a land of rebellion, systemic failure and enforced order as the band threaten to burst our ear drums. Giannone may paint a picture of a place like Mega-City One in Judge Dread but in truth we’re closer to that becoming a reality than any of us realise and sometimes it takes something extreme to drive the point home.

Keeping the beats per minute respectable “Collapse Protocol” is arguably the finest kit performance on the record from Alfonso Mocerino who beats the living daylights out of his percussive instrument throughout. He’s an exponent of substance over style and brings plenty of interesting fills to the table to keep you on the edge of your seat. As a track it almost goes without saying that this one cleaves the flesh from bone, the urgency and intensity second to none. What’s interesting is how the band manage to maintain perpetual forward motion with this one having some tasteful grooves about it. The fight against those who seek to oppress hits home with “Rise of Resistance“, staccato riff breaks with a southern twang and insane drum patterns all flowing together at neck snapping speed. What makes it is the slow down and scream finale which is incredible so if this one doesn’t speak to you then nothing will.

The old school, never say die attitude is represented perfectly by the slice of brutality that is “Just Keep Fighting” because sometimes its survival of the fittest, kill or be killed. An adrenaline pumping tune to help you breathe more easily, it has this timeless quality to it and could have easily dropped at any point since the early 2000’s without too much trouble. As an album everything sounds fresh and energised, the tone and complexity of some of the riffs reminiscent of works by Destrage, the band choosing a cleaner tone so they shine a little more rather than one that is laced with distortion and masks it. “Bodies’ Supermarket” completes the collection in style as a final violent delight with some Sepultura inspired moments as they inspire mosh pit madness. There is actually a tasteful climbing solo on this one which separates it from the pack, the pick slide making the hairs stand up on the back of the neck. Undertakers still have the strength to dominate [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Call To Arms (intro)
2. United Front
3. Global Dominion
4. All Out War
5. Plutocracy Era
6. Iron Regime
7. Collapse Protocol
8. Rise of Resistance
9. Just Keep Fighting
10. Bodies’ Supermarket

“Global Dominion” by Undertakers is out 10th July 2026 via Time To Kill Records