Featuring Arizona-based old-school death metal purveyors
Gatecreeper and Richmond, Virginia-born crossover/thrash enthusiasts
Iron Reagan, the
Split EP makes up for its diminutive running time (just under 18 minutes) and lazy title via a lethal blast of unmitigated sonic brutality. The latter outfit occupies side A, delivering a five-song barrage that's as groove-laden and sneakily melodic as it is aurally unrelenting -- every cut is a pit-worthy sweatfest -- with highlights arriving by way of the defiant "Warning" and the caustic "Burn for This."
Gatecreeper arrive via the smoldering, blast furnace-forged instrumental "Daybreak," and then proceed to unleash a pair of lyrically despondent, decibel-crushing neck-snappers that should please fans of
Entombed,
Obituary, and
Cannibal Corpse. ~ James Christopher Monger