Review: “Sick and Twisted” by Necromatter

The brainchild of guitarist Daniel Yordanov (Necrophile, Progression), Bulgarian Death Metal project Necromatter began to take shape in 2025 after the arrival of vocalist Dancho “Mordaxis” Ivanov (Hyperborea, Cupola, Formless Reality, Zima). The pair are joined by bassist Stanislav Ivanov, drummer Boyan Zahariev (Certain Demise) and guitarist Vittorio “Vik” Veneziano (Destrudo, Dark Opera) for debut record “Sick and Twisted“, citing influences in old school Death Metal and Grindcore. What’s interesting is that they have ambitions that knows no bounds, admitting to chasing a heavier more technical and uncompromising sound, the question is can the walls of Sofia keep them contained?

Recorded, mixed and mastered in house by guitarist Daniel Yordanov, “Sick and Twisted” is very much a DIY or DIE affair although given the quality presented here you might not notice that because its certainly not rough around the edges. Front loaded with themes of ancient evil, the wicked intentions of the dead, the afterlife and the corrupted souls of the living the record begins with title track “Sick and twisted” which takes us back to the Groove Metal of Pantera thanks to it’s main riff which is god damn electric. The difference is the bloodthirsty vocals from Mordaxis which are fierce enough to make you wonder what exactly you’ve dialled into. Zahariev’s drumming enhances that notion with “Total devastation” by offering bursts of Deathgrind inspired percussive battery in a fast and loose fashion that brings the performances of Stephen Taylor on “A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred” by Superjoint Ritual to mind. A short, sharp shock of a track with that rampaging quality, it feels like it has Hardcore Punk influences due to it’s sheer energy, the rapid fire approach of the music matching the ranting and raving qualities of the vocal performance perfectly. Slipping into the world of Melodic Death Metal “The spell” has a tasteful lead lick and an earworm main riff but fortunately for us Mordaxis isn’t tempted into attempting any clean vocalist. Instead he barks his way through the lyrical narrative with a throaty roar that masks any accenting during the tale of occult ritual. 

A classic horror movie style sample introduces “Time to kill again” as the band return to Groove Death with chugging staccato riff breaks and a sense of malevolence in the shadow of intent. A bass solo from Ivanov mid cut that moves into some more sinister riffing is a nice touch, the old school atmospherics a thing of dark beauty before “Cold filthy sins” doubles down on the approach with a Pissing Razors style riff and some demonic death growls. Somehow, against all the odds, the Sofia natives have captured the essence of a sound that belongs in the heart of Texas, mirroring the trademark verve and swagger of the bands from the region perfectly once again. Just when you think you’ve heard it all the band flip the script once more with a Traditional Heavy Metal cut to round of the collection in “Beware the midnight sky“. This last endeavour has Scandinavian roots, the gravelly vocals equally as vicious as anything else you might find on the record. What makes for a real point of difference is the soloing which is very well worked [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Sick and twisted
2. Total devastation
3. The spell
4. Time to kill again
5. Cold filthy sins
6. Beware the midnight sky

“Sick and Twisted” by Necromatter is out 3rd July 2026 and is available over at bandcamp