Review: “Darkness Echoes” by Mortuary Cave

Recorded by Jesse Gander (3 Inches of Blood, Ceremonial Bloodbath, Death Knell) at Rain City Recorders in Vancouver BC over three days in December 2025 who later mixed before mastering by Greg Wilkinson (Autopsy, Necrot, Undergang) at Earhammer Studios in Oakland California, “Darkness Echoes” is the debut album from Mortuary Cave.  Describing themselves as a primeval Sludge trio, the band are made up of guitarist vocalist Dave Hardy and bassist vocalist Shane Carmichael who were both part of Hoopsnake and drummer vocalist Kay Smith of Chapel and Temple of Abandonment fame. Adorned by artwork from Janette Carmichael in pastel on pastelmat, the record is an intriguing prospect from a trio known to cross the borders and boundaries between Sludge, Doom and Death Metal…

The half an hour of power begins with introduction piece “Hell’s Judgement“, a seventy one second instrumental of 80’s John Carpenter science fiction horror movie soundtrack style synths to set an eerie tone and warn something wicked this way comes, which it does with “Endless Ride“. A cut of low and slow Doom infused Sludge Metal with some savage Death Metal styled vocal parts, it’s a behemoth of epic proportions with that is perfect for fright night. The contrast between the different voices makes all the difference, their voices intertwining in the sonic brew so its like you’re listening to the death growls and shrill roars of a three headed dragon at it breaths fire while the war drums pound. Gander also deserves a lot of credit for the mix because the bass has been brought forward in the mix to bolster the sound, something which works very well.

Taking a leaf out of the book of bands like High On Fire and Scuzz, the riffs of “Death Dealer Commandments” are a tighter with the aim of seducing the discerning listener into neck snapping activities, the Death Metal energy adding to the intensity of their Sludge Metal spine. What makes it work is that the vocals are well balanced, often sparse enough to allow you to get into the sonic groves while at the same time being potent enough when they are present to burst your ear drums.

Slowing things back down with distinctive Black Sabbath vibes “Ritual Instinct” reaches knuckle dragging levels of depravity whereby the throat simply becomes an instrument or implement of destruction. The lyrics are incomprehensible but that’s all part of the fun until the mid cut gear change, the second half of the track conjuring some filthy groove laden riffs and even offering up a couple of tasteful yet fleeting bass solos.

An ode to how alcohol dulls the pain “Brain Melter” gives Carmichael another opportunity to get a bass solo in as the trio get lower and slower than ever before with riffs of gargantuan proportions. Hardy even produces face melting solo himself which is a nice touch and in all fairness playing this slow and getting it right is arguably more difficult than playing fast because there is absolutely no place the hide. A powerhouse of a record that will put a smile on the face of even the most battle hardened Metal Head, this bodes very well for Mortuary Cave going forward because they have the chemistry to match their musicianship [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Hell’s Judgement
2. Endless Ride
3. Death Dealer Commandments
4. Ritual Instinct
5. Brain Melter

“Darkness Echoes” by Mortuary Cave is out 11th September 2026 via From the Urn Records and is available over at bandcamp