Review: “As Mankind Rots” by Paganizer

It seems that vocalist, guitarist and Paganizer mastermind Rogga Johansson has heart set on growing old disgracefully as having started the project from the ashes of Terminal Grip in 1998 the Old School Swedish Death Metal fire is still very much burning. He is of course the last man standing of the groups original line up, drummer Matte Fiebig rejoining in 2013 after a four year absence while bassist Martin Klasén and lead guitarist Dennis Blomberg have been on board since 2014 and 2015 respectively. Together they have completed work on a landmark fourteenth studio album with long time collaborator Ronnie Björnström (Ghosts of Atlantis, Buried Realm, Centinex) and it almost goes without saying that this point that themes of Death, Murder, Gore and a sprinkling of anti-religious rhetoric are all going to be present. Grim and ghastly artwork from Ivan Bragin (The Gathering, October Tide, Woods Of Ypres) adorns the front cover…

The shovel headed kill machine begin the operation with the title track and “As Mankind Rots” is nothing short of a face melting flame thrower blast of a track, the band wasting no time with an introduction and instead going straight for the jugular. Johansson’s trademark death growls are call to the serial killers of the world to prepare for war once more, the buzzsaw riffs and thunderous percussion pointing the way to damnation once more. What’s great about it is that there are no frills, only thrills and spills as the psychopaths knife rises and the shower curtain gets painted. The nightmare continues with “Devoured“, another adrenaline pumping old school HM2 fearing tune of groove laden chug that slows for an eerie mid section before returning to the full throttle assault. Pagnanizer have long been masters of brooding, sinister atmospherics and that is not something that is about to change because the old dogs need not learn new tricks. “Aftermath Bleeder” burns into the brain with the white heat of a branding iron, the old school Death Punk riffs reminiscent of early Entombed a nostalgic throwback with plenty of bark and bite. Joined to the hip of the previous track “Only Maggots” roars into life with pounding war drums and squealing riffs that soon become a bloodthirsty gallop. While things slow down as the track plays out, there is no less intensity, the four piece remaining steadfast in their cutthroat logic before the shattering of glass to finish abruptly.

There is no rest for the wicked and as the air-raid sirens re-ignite Cold War fears, Johansson instructs the discerning listener to “Put on Your Gasmask” in a way that leaves you with no question of the severity of situation. What catches you off guard with this one is just how damned catchy becomes, the roar of the song title a scream-a-long moment on just the second listen. After a slower, more ominous start “Hollow” takes us into Death Thrash territory with some moments that sound distinctively old school Lamb Of God before things get ugly and violent once more. A brutal finish is the icing on the metaphorical cake, the aggression and intensity of the bands approach not having changed in twenty seven years at this point. Don’t expect them to rattle out any rehashed Judas Priest riffs either because they’d sooner spit in your face. Despite only being four and a half minutes in duration “A Testament to Madness” has something of a monolithic approach, feeling like an immovable object that has stood the test of time for centuries. A beast from the black depths that grows with each menacing chord progression, it has some tasty lead work in the centre that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Another earworm Death Thrash riff is owned by “Afterworld“, a punishment beating of a track with enough percussive battery to flatten a city and while the solo may not be as scorching as it could have been, it is tastefully in keeping with its surroundings.

An ominous warning of an impending apocalypse at the hands of humanity “The Rotting End” is a rampage of undeniable power with just a hint of the kind of burnt offering Zao offered with 2004′ “The Funeral Of God“. They say that hell has no fury like a woman scorned but clearly they never met with the wrathful voice of Rogga Johansson who puts on another performance of vim and vigour as he breathes that burns like battery acid. A pause break finish and the sound of a grave digger doing their lonely work brings the bloodstained crushed velvet curtain down on the monster that is “One Way to the Grave” in style, the band sounding tighter and more commanding than ever in the process. Melodic Death Metal riffs introduce grand finale “Vanans Makt” (or “The Power of Habit”), a re-recording of a song that originally emerged from the undergrowth in 2020 on the “Compiled Ammunition“. After a bloodcurdling roar, Johansson is joined by Bulten of Swedish punks Lastkaj 14 who gives us a verse during a song soaked in Scandinavian melancholia. A more fitting end to a bloodbath has never been heard… [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. As Mankind Rots
2. Devoured
3. Aftermath Bleeder
4. Only Maggots
5. Put on Your Gasmask
6. Hollow
7. A Testament to Madness
8. Afterworld
9. The Rotting End
10. One Way to the Grave
11. Vanans Makt (ft. Bulten of Lastkaj 14)

“As Mankind Rots” by Paganizer is out 5th February 2026 via Xtreem Music and is available over at bandcamp.