Review: “Demo ’26” by Reticence

Does anyone still remember what a dictionary is? Back in the early 1990’s before the internet was a thing, everyone had this massive book with words and their meanings in it which they used to prop up the TV. It was second only to the Yellow Pages, a book listing everyone’s name, address and telephone number. Imagine that. Anyway… Reticence is the quality or state of being reserved, restrained, or uncommunicative, especially when it comes to speaking freely or revealing one’s thoughts and feelings. It also happens to be the name which a Saint Petersburg based Russian Brutal Death Metal outfit, who confess to having Hardcore influences have made their own.

A seventy three second menacing and sinister instrumental cunningly titled “Intro” serves as, well… the introduction piece to the bands first demo. The addition of a brutal demonic roar, some squeals and a lead lick made it sound fresh despite obvious influences from the 90’s American Death Metal scene. After that punch in the face of a tone setter Reticence come in swinging with the pulverising “Fateful Separation“, a groove laden beast of a track upon which the vocals are the single heaviest element. In some ways it reminds of Russian Death Metal heavyweights God Syndrome with undeniable old school stylings and a ferocity that feels like a sandblasting for the skin. The tempo shifts are well executed and while the record has the word demo in the title, there is nothing raw about this output, its enough to put a hole in your chest when they fire both barrels.

The bowel clenching death growls at the start of “Heated Rays” is more than enough to trigger a brain haemorrhage in the weak of mind, the powerhouse percussion adding fuel to the fire while the band demonstrate they’re not afraid of longer instrumental passages. They focus on dynamics and rhythmic battery rather than getting flamboyant with solos, the ominous atmospheric of this one very well done.

Arguably the most savage cut of this collection is “Manhunt” and its a real neck snapper with chugging riffs and tasteful drum fills before a mid cut breakdown section which is straight out of the book of Bury Your Dead. After that the pummelling becomes a savage beating as the outfit gradually slow to a downtempo finale before ending with ear piercing feedback. It almost feels like an injustice that Reticence call themselves a Brutal Death Metal act because while they have elements of that in the vocals and drum sound, which is reminiscent of the one Mauricio Marín used in Twitch Of The Death Nerve, there is more to them than that. For a start the riffs float between at least four sub-genres so as a first slap in the face, this one may leave you intrigued as to what they might do next… [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Intro
2. Fateful Separation
3. Heated Rays
4. Manhunt

“Demo ’26” by Reticence is out 8th April 2026 and is available over at bandcamp