“Organometallic assimilation.“
Now that 2024 has come to a close, there is certainly anticipation for the new metal releases of 2025. This past year has been an exceptional one for modern death metal, marked by standout albums from hard-hitting heavyweights like Gatecreeper, Fulci, and 200 Stab Wounds; alongside a wave of incredible output from newer and underground bands within the extreme metal scene. Evidently, it is undeniable that the genre of death metal is experiencing a well-deserved resurgence, fuelled by innovation, inspiration, and unrelenting aggression.
In the UK particularly, both death metal and hardcore have been thriving – with local scenes coming alive with a variety of bands joining forces to deliver blistering, grimy gigs that showcase exceptional, local talent and unforgettable line-ups.
One band that exemplifies this movement is Mutagenic Host, a rising force in London’s extreme metal scene. Known for their ferocious blend of old-school grit and brutal death metal hostility, they’ve earned a reputation for delivering crushing performances that leave audiences running to the merch stands, subsequently making them a rising name in the genre.
This momentum is set to intensify with the highly anticipated release of their debut album, The Diseased Machine, on January 3rd via Dry Cough Records. This release promises to explore the band’s unique sound whilst carving out their own brutal identity, delving into nihilistic themes of human eradication and the potential destruction caused by artificial intelligence. I can say for certain that The Diseased Machine adequately achieves its aims, with ten savage songs that showcase the best of modern death metal.
The Diseased Machine initialises with its ferocious opening track, “Neurological Necrosis”, offering an explosive introduction to Mutagenic Host’s evolved sound. The song starts with uncomfortably dissonant, harmonised guitar parts that evoke a build-up of eerie, skin-crawling tension. This is paired with the crushing weight of fuzz-soaked, distorted tones across all instruments, amplifying the track’s raw, hardcore intensity. Towards the middle of the track, the band unleash a build-and-breakdown sequence that wouldn’t feel out of place in a 200 Stab Wounds song —absolutely filthy and perfect for a death metal pit, where the music isn’t the only violent thing in the room.
Speaking of breakdowns, The Diseased Machine is absolutely packed with them. Almost every song is filled with a burst of controlled chaos, sawing riffs, crushing grooves, and hard-hitting vocals. Each breakdown feels meticulously crafted to ensure brutal impact, creating sections that are as infectious as they are pulverising. A great example of this is heard in the album’s last track, “Rivers of Grief”, which unleashes riffs so grotesquely heavy they feel like they’ve been conjured by The Diseased Machine itself. This is combined with a punishing drums that locks you into a primal rhythm and topped with intense guttural vocals that add further grit to the song. This track truly leaves an unforgettable mark and brings the album to a satisfying close.
An additional highlight of this album would have to be the immense talent shown by the band. For instance, the guitar work is certainly a standout feature, delivering a relentless collection of tight, chugging riffs that set the tone for every track on the release. Furthermore, on drums, George Kinsella-Pearn demonstrates an excellent display of groove and variation, infusing each song with dynamic shifts in rhythm and intricate patterns that add a perfect amount of movement to the album. Similarly, Dan Bulford provides an essential low-end foundation with his crushing bass lines, cutting through the mix with a gritty tone that’s both punishing and precise. Lastly, I feel obligated to mention Ash Moore’s vocals, which serve as the grinding, guttural force that defines Mutagenic Host’s sound. Together, the band have collectively cemented The Diseased Machine as a remarkable and authentic debut.
When considering potential drawbacks for The Diseased Machine, there are few, but there are a couple of areas that might warrant attention for future releases. Generally, some of the tracks could be shorter in length, preserving the riff’s initial impact and leaning into hardcore’s punchy, no-frills structure. Tightening these moments could preserve the visceral intensity without risking listener fatigue. Another area for growth lies in stylistic experimentation. While the band’s sound is undeniably heavy and cohesive, a bit more variation within the tracks could elevate the overall experience. Some songs lean heavily on familiar structures, which occasionally makes them blur together. Finally, despite delivering crushing riffs throughout, the guitar work could have had more opportunities to shine with additional lead parts and solos. Expanding on this in future releases could showcase another layer of the band’s talent and add even more dimension to their already formidable sound.
Despite these minor critiques, The Diseased Machine certainly puts Mutagenic Host on the map in the death metal scene. Compared to The Genotoxic Demo, which they released in January 2023, The Diseased Machine immediately demonstrates a leap forward in both polish and atmosphere. The production is sharper and more immersive, capturing the chaotic energy of their style while adding layers of depth that pull listeners into their world of dissonance and devastation. Every track has something new and hard-hitting to offer, solidifying The Diseased Machine as an album that doesn’t just close strong—it annihilates.
7.5/10
The Diseased Machine releases on the 3rd of January via Dry Cough Records.