J-Man Galgamex may not be one of the most well-known death metal acts on the Canadian extreme metal landscape, but I remember the band leaving me with quite an impression upon hearing their 2011 debut EP. Their lethal and complex brand of technical death metal struck me as an impressive blend of old and new styles, and although it was not a revelation in death metal, Galgamex emerged on the scene with their own identity and some kickass tunes to boot. Fast forward to late 2012, and the Canadian outfit unleashed their debut full-length in the form of Cult ov Death - and, as great as their first EP was, this album really establishes Galgamex as a band worthy of your attention.

Musically, we're dealing with some uber-technical and brutal death metal in the vein of Suffocation, Obscura, and Spawn of Possession; although deviations into General Surgery or Dark Tranquility territory appear from time to time (as well as high-pitched black metal shrieks), this should not be mistaken for anything other than a technical death metal album. And, thankfully, it's a damn good one too! Galgamex has a knack for creating totally punishing music that still sounds memorable and cohesive, and although I find that many bands in this genre focus too heavily on noodling, Cult ov Death features well thought-out and sophisticated compositions.

Cult ov Death also features a tremendously powerful production (certainly better than the muddy, albeit effective, sound heard on the EP!), and the musicianship is every bit as phenomenal as one would expect from a high-class technical death metal act. The only real knock I can give Cult ov Death is its short running length; at only twenty-six minutes, this is too short for me to really consider it a full length observation. Still, wishing for more music is never a bad sign, and all of the tracks that the band has assembled for this album are purely excellent. Galgamex really are one of Canada's best kept secrets, and I can only hope that fans of technical death metal check out what they're up to!

J-Man Dementia of the Tomb

Right from the first note of Galgamex's debut EP, you know that you're in for a brutal and handbang-inducing technical death metal journey. Galgamex is one of the most promising death metal acts coming out of Canada right now, boasting excellent musicians with great technical abilities and compositional talents. Although this isn't a strikingly original death metal release, Galgamex have exhibited themselves as a promising and impressive young act. Already sounding as mature as most death metal veterans, this Canadian quintet has promised many great things to come. Considering this is available as a free legal download, I'd highly recommend all extreme metal fans to give Galgamex's self-titled debut EP a couple spins - you won't regret it.

The music here is technical death metal with some metalcore leanings. I'm reminded of Suffocation, Deicide, and a (much improved version of) Within the Ruins. This is a pretty brutal album. There's double-bass pedal rhythms that, in combination with technical guitar riffs and deep guttural vocals, are enough to make the average metal fan's head explode. I personally love it, and I think the sheer level of heaviness, technicality, and brutality in Galgamex's music is part of what makes them so appealing. Of course, a lot of modern death metal acts have capitalized on this sound, and as a result Galgamex's EP comes across as slightly derivative, but that doesn't detract from the enjoyment I have when listening to this. If Galgamex can develop a slightly more distinct sound, I can see them becoming a big name in death metal. A big reason why I enjoy this EP is the amazing levels of proficiency shown by the musicians. Every musician sounds at the top of their game, and I especially have to applaud the fast yet intricate drumming. All in all, Galgamex is a tight-playing unit that is a joy to listen to. The production is also surprisingly good for a self-released effort. It effectively delivers all of the dynamics in Galgamex's music, while still maintaining a raw sound (something that many professional acts forget about). The delivery aspect (performances and production) may actually be the most remarkable thing about this entire EP.

Conclusion:

Galgamex really took me by surprise with their debut EP. If you like technical death metal that seamlessly mixes modern influences and tributes to the legends of the genre, I would definitely recommend checking these guys out. It's nothing revolutionary in the extreme metal genre, but it's hard to deny quality like this. 3.5 stars are well-deserved for this promising Canadian act. I'll be keeping a close eye on where they go in the future.