Review: “Devouring Darkness” by Unmerciful

Adorned by artwork from Santiago Francisco Jaramillo and mastered by Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal) the fourth studio album from Topeka Kansas based Death Metal act Unmerciful is one that brings with it line up changes. Guitarist Clinton Appelhanz remains the sole survivor from the band which first appeared on the scene in 2001 and the driving force behind everything that the band do, 2020 album “Wrath Encompassed” the first to see Trynt Kelly (Marasmus, Nefirum, Initium) grace the drum stool. “Devouring Darkness” introduces new vocalist Josh Riley of Kohnerah fame while also seeing the return of guitarist Jeremy Turner after a decade wandering the wilderness…

Blast beats and a brutal roar from Riley announce the return of Unmerciful in brutal fashion as “Miracle in Fire” takes shape, the restless and relentless kit work from Kelly bringing to mind bands like Twitch Of The Death Nerve. A skull crushing opening cut, the biggest surprise is that Riley’s vocals are comprehendible, something which means you can hear his every single waking thought as it spills out on on the page. Vocal layering is put to good use with a shrill vs growl back and forth working incredibly well. “Unnatural Ferocity” cuts like a chainsaw through flesh, the quartet experimenting with some groove laden riffs as they embrace influences in Pestilence and Suffocation. Bodies lay in the killing fields in their wake, the bloodlust only satisfied once every last enemy is punished. Menacing and sinister from the very start, the neck snapping “Malice Unbound” is a joyful moment of brutality as the band offer up yet more 90’s Groove Death styled moments. All this is lacking is a scorching solo to top it all off like a cherry on the cake but the band seem intent on inflicting the maximum damage with their rhythmic prowess, which works just as well.

Title track “Devouring Darkness” burns with intensity, slowing things down a little to focus on creating a dark and eerie atmospheric with which to disturb. Riley’s vocal performance on this one is more demonic than on the earlier cuts, drawing out phrases and scraping the resin in the process. A solo does emerge from the darkness in the final moments of this one and its well worked, the axe wielding duo both taking part. Doing exactly what it says on the tin might be a rare thing these days but “Relentless Malevolence” does exactly that, the kit work from Kelly the relentless part with Riley bringing the malevolence. The pair dominate this 160 second piece of violent turbulence, proving their worth as they cut against the razor sharp riffage. As both guitarists Clint Appelhanz and Jeremy Turner have served time in the ranks of Origin “Vomit you out” doesn’t really feel like cover in the conventional sense. The song was actually written by Turner for that bands self titled record which was unleashed in the year 2000. Twenty five years on it sounds just as punishing as the original, this rendition having been shortened by 30 seconds for dramatic effect. Unlike some covers, this one is perfectly suited to its surroundings and very much in keeping with what Unmerciful are doing in 2025, decimating the weak and thinning the herd. The bone rattling “Infernal Conquering” keeps the adrenaline pumping with another tale of violence wrapped in the kind of 90’s inspired Death Metal riffs that give it that instant appeal. That makes it an obvious choice for a pre-release single as the band reach the height of their prowess and smash the clock in fear.

Rumbling bass gives “The Reaping” another dimension, the four piece able to generate the destructive power of a building site wrecking ball with their ferocious onslaught. It feels like a smash and grab with some Florida scene inspired moments thrown in for good measure, the savage scream in the final moments a reminder that Riley doesn’t need any introductions. “Voracious Lunacy” has a brilliantly executed false ending that keeps us all on the edge of our seats, the band smashing and crashing their way through the malevolent material with malicious intent. There is a real pomp and circumstance about the verse that comes before that false ending, the brutality that follows it as much fun as you can have without losing a limb. This reign of terror comes to a violent demise with “Vengeance Transcending“, a track front loaded with intricate kick drum patterns and riffage designed to create havoc in the mosh pit. The new dawn of Unmerciful is the start of a bloodthirsty new age, the new line up evidently as hungry as previous incarnations to inflict a punishment beating or two… [8/10]

1. Miracle in Fire
2. Unnatural Ferocity
3. Malice Unbound
4. Devouring Darkness
5. Relentless Malevolence
6. Vomit you out (Origin Cover)
7. Infernal Conquering
8. The Reaping
9. Voracious Lunacy
10. Vengeance Transcending

“Devouring Darkness” by Unmerciful is out 23rd May 2025 via Willowtip Records and is available over at bandcamp.