Review: “Horrors Unearthed” by Erase This Earth

Hailing from Tampere in Finland, Death Metal quintet Erase This Earth was given life in 2017 however despite writing material from the outset did not become serious until their 2021 demo “Ones Who Hate” was committed to tape. That was the moment that the band, who now feature in their ranks musicians known for their roles in Amongst the Ashes, Pyre of Hypocrisy, Decreation and Sargassus to name but a few brought everything into sharp focus. Themes of Science fiction, Cosmic horror and Human psyche ran through their minds like a cheetah chasing a gazelle and that culminated in their first EP “Signs” which was released in 2022. Mixed and mastered by Lassi Tiainen (Dead Samaritan, Ignis Eternum, Satan’s Fall) as well as being adorned by artwork from Matias Stenman (Amongst the Ashes, Sargassus, Jotungrav) their next burnt offering is “Horrors Unearthed“.

Sonically guitarist Mikko Niskanen, vocalist and guitarist Antti Ohtonen, vocalist Heikki Mäki, drummer Matias Rokio and bassist Janne Pihlajaniemi have been known to create Death Metal with elements of the Melodic, Technical and Progressive held within its black beating heart as variety is the spice of life. That is something that rises to the surface almost immediately with “Impending Doom” as the band offer up some weighty Death Groove before transitioning into dirge laden riffs. Shifting like the sands of the Sahara desert in high winds with some classy blast beats and guttural vocals is one thing but then switching to a Melodic Death Metal passage straight out of the Gothenburg scene before repeating the process is quite another. How they’ve managed to stitch the pieces together without them sounding disjointed is purely down to sublime musicianship and compositional skills, the foresight to be able to create something of this stature though is something else entirely. The energy and intensity is as impressive as the blistering solo that it ends on, all of which sets the scene for “Fault Lines“. A pile driver of a cut with groove laden, menacing and sinister staccato riff breaks, this one is a neck snapping delight. The contrast between the death growls of Heikki Mäki and the slightly shriller harsh vocals from guitarist Antti Ohtonen works really well, as does the solo which is tastefully to maintain the energy of the song. As gripping as a page turning science fiction horror novel “The Walls Are Alive” is arguably the finest of this trio, a powerful statement piece with another ripper of a solo and a dark malevolent atmosphere. The calling for a full length album from Erase This Earth just got a whole lot louder [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Impending Doom
2. Fault Lines
3. The Walls Are Alive

“Horrors Unearthed” by Erase This Earth is out 15th October 2026 via Inverse Records and is available over at bandcamp