In tandem, Smith gurgles, croaks, and bellows, with inhuman vocal acrobatics that cement his place as one of the most talented vocalists in modern death metal. Reeking Aura’s guitarists take inspiration from the swampiest corners of old-school death metal, taking their sweet time to submerge listeners in an auditory mire. Their presence is reinforced by Colin Marston’s production job, which highlights the low end, makes the double-bass drumming sound thunderous, and solidifies the album’s cavernous ambience.

Reeking Aura’s rhythm section deserves praise despite technically simple performances, with Tom Anderer’s no-frills bass providing an ominous backbone while Sam Shereck’s pounding drums add variety and oomph (“Pyramid-Shaped Plow/The Caretaker”). Nearly every aspect of Blood and Bonemeal contributes to the album’s nasty, claustrophobic atmosphere. While Blood and Bonemeal is punctuated with softer acoustic and synth-led sections (which are Cherd’s favorite), Reeking Aura’s primary focus is diabolical down-tuned death-doom. Reeking Aura is helmed by the now-familiar Will Smith (no, not that one… yes, that one – Artificial Brain, Afterbirth), whose vocal performance is as maniacal as it’s ever been. Rather, the three lead guitarists fire a volley of infectious death metal riffs that range from slightly boneheaded to extremely boneheaded, adding some variety through tortoise-paced doom digressions and wailing leads. The band isn’t Finnish, and they’re not trying to make you cry. Reeking Aura’s game is vintage death-doom. This July was replete with mucky death metal, and Blood and Bonemeal rounds out the series. While Blood and Bonemeal is unlikely to turn your year-end list topsy-turvy, it’s a solid outing from talented musicians. Boasting band members from Grey Skies Fallen, Artificial Brain, and Buckshot Facelift, Blood and Bonemeal harks back to the halcyon days of Autopsy and Asphyx, dishing out grimy death metal riffs across the tempo spectrum. While much less objectionable, Reeking Aura’s debut Blood and Bonemeal is no less vile than its namesake. If you’ve ever bought organic fertilizer, it likely contained these horrifying but nutrient-rich byproducts of slaughterhouses. As a hippie vegan with a houseplant obsession, I know all too much about blood and bone meal.

Grey aura band