Review: “Eradication Protocol” by I Am Mook

How I Am Mook are able to be as prolific as they are is a mystery that has got Jessica Fletcher stumped but Columbo is on the case. Breaking it down to the bare essentials, the Jacksonville North Carolina based Deathcore quartet gave us EP “Hollow Allegory” on 6th February and now return like a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle, 131 days later with “Eradication Protocol“. Hell’s teeth it was only 301 days ago, on 20th August 2025 that they gave us EP “Horrific Mooktation“. Seek & Strike Records must be wondering if they need to employ a bigger team to cope with the distribution of the bands pummelling blast beats, seismic breakdowns and cannibalistic vocals…

A demonic guttural scream from Tom Verbos accompanies a Downtempo Deathcore pummelling of the highest order as “Teufel” unfurls its giant wings, a couple of samples and some surprisingly sinister leads giving it that horror movie monster birthing scene vibe straight out of the gate. Mid cut electronics add a little texture and but its the guitar tone Todd Holbrook that will leave you wondering what you just heard because it’s so distorted it almost sounds wet. The Carolina national anthem then introduces “Hannibal Mandible” which gives the record this weird tension break before the artillery shelling rhythmic battery whips up a storm once more bassist Matt Wilson and drummer Malachie Smith working up a sweat. Just as brutal as its predecessor, this one keeps you on your toes with off kilter stop-start moments that are the sonic equivalent of jump scares in horror movies, the intensity of the sounds in between enough to cleave flesh from bone.

The leads on “Flatline” sound like they were inspired by the original Super Mario Brothers soundtrack from 1985, the 109 second onslaught otherwise a building site wrecking ball of blast beats and down-tuned riffs of malevolent evil that hits so hard and fast it will knock you into next week. There is barely time to take a breath before “Carnivorous Offering” then comes in swinging, the conjoined twin a hammer blow to the skull with blood gargling Slam inspired vocals that has breakdowns so heavy you’ll curb stomp yourself if you listen to it after midnight. Samples bring the fun to the serial killers dream that is “Carotid“, the voice of the infamous CJ McCreery providing the hellish contrast to Verbos’s throat ripping noises. Signs of the Swarm had better buckle up because I Am Mook are joining Snake Father in search of the Brutal Deathcore crown [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Teufel
2. Hannibal Mandible
3. Flatline
4. Carnivorous Offering
5. Carotid (ft. CJ McCreery of Immortal Disfigurement)

“Eradication Protocol” by I Am Mook is out 19th June 2026 via Seek & Strike Records