Review: “Bloodsport” by Vermithor

Twelve months after they tickled us pink with their EP “Wasteland Throne” Jyväskylä, Finland based heavy hitters Vermithor have walked back through the Saloon door and are asking barmaid Sally for shots of moonshine whiskey from the bottle she keeps for special occasions. Founded as recently as August of 2024 by a writing partnership of guitarist and vocalist Taneli Ristola and drummer Jan Vähäniemi (Aganthros, Decedent), their sophomore EP “Bloodsport” finds them a three piece with bassist Harri Korhonen (Chaosform) having exited stage left. The other member is of course guitarist Sulo Moisio (Chephreon, Warorath). If you missed that debut EP, the band have roots in 90’s Death Metal with Metallic Hardcore influences…

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Arttu Lesonen (Mortal Soil, Hadean, Scopus Magnus), who also plays bass on a pair of tracks, the sessions for “Bloodsport” took place at Soitin Jylhä in June and December 2025. Jori Sara-aho (Evil Angel, Sacrificial Dagger, Pyrotoxic) also served as the producer on a pair of cuts with Aleksi Stenbacka (Huoripukki, Vitriolic, Necrotic Ooze) providing the cover artwork. The record begins with “Sickening Shrapnel Surgery” which crosses sub-genres with urgency, a Hardcore Punk bass line moving into Crossover Thrash and then Death Metal by the time the savage first verse takes hold. There are even Black Metal styled drum patterns as the band cut a path through the urban jungle, the racing riffs having a bit of old school Suffocation about them. A couple of moments of soloing and some menacing chord changes later and if you’re not headbanging then there must be something wrong with you.

There is a bit of Death Grind about the opening attack of “Abominable Intelligence” as Vermithor prove that variety is indeed the spice of life, the tempo slowing after the opening third as the band deliver weighty atmospheric crush before a wonderfully technical styled solo. The groove in the final third of the track is undeniable and how they’ve managed to bring it all together demonstrates just how good their musicianship is because its as completely seamless as a surgeons stitches should be. The levels of brutality rise with with the death growled vocals of “Banquet of Bastards“, a tale of eating offal at Satan’s table, united in common misery as classic a lyrical narrative as anything you might expect from Cannibal Corpse. The solo is arguably the best of those on the record, a real pièce de résistance from Sulo Moisio as he proves his worth once again.

We’re taken back to 1988 starring Jean-Claude Van Damme with title track “Imperial Bloodsport” as criminals, mutants and captured soldiers are forced to fight for entertainment, staccato riff breaks and a mesmerising solo all washed down with some intricate drum fills from Jan Vähäniemi. As a title track its a violent statement piece that leaves nothing to the imagination and works incredibly well with a devious flow to it. Things get crazy as the band put the pedal to the metal for “Final Raid” which is a blood thirsty rampage through the trenches and a dedication to the horrors of war. Circling the drain of Death Thrash, this one seals the deal and confirms a step up from their previous record, showing growth while maintaining quality [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Sickening Shrapnel Surgery
2. Abominable Intelligence
3. Banquet of Bastards
4. Imperial Bloodsport
5. Final Raid

“Bloodsport” by Vermithor is out 3rd April 2026 and is available over at bandcamp