Review: Autopsy ‘Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts’

Seriously guys, another record? Give us a break… Actually, scratch that; give me all the Autopsy I can handle! The death metal legends are back, AGAIN, merely a year after their brilliant 2022 record Morbidity Triumphant (an album that sat rather high in my end of year list) and so I have high expectations for Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts, which sounds more like a lyrical inspiration list rather than an album title and it is out now through Peaceville Records.

Well, if there was any fear that this could just be an ‘off-cuts from Morbidity Triumphant album’, or a quick cash in on the popularity of said record, those fears were quickly and brutally murdered by opener Rabid Funeral, a rampaging death metal masterclass, complete with howling solos and savage vocal fury from Chris Reifert. I don’t think any of us truly believed that was ever possible, but you can never be too careful these days.

Autopsy have never phoned it in, but Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts is somehow just as impressive as their last record, despite the rapid turnaround. You have the gurgling chaotic crust punk of Toxic Death Fuk, the majestic death/doom sweep of Well Of Entrails, even the multiple stab wounds of Throatsaw; each a slice of the vintage Autopsy sound. They still play the purest form of death metal, imperceptible changes from their classic ‘90s period only enhance their bloodthirsty fury mixed with the sound of knuckle dragging death/doom primitivity.

Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts is another salvo in the ongoing war that Autopsy are waging against mediocre death metal…

The artwork is once again provided by Wes Benscoter, who the band have collaborated with for a number of records, and his gore-soaked work is a perfect companion to the music within. (Fun fact, despite not being overly familiar with the man himself, it turns out Benscoter has worked on some of death metal’s most memorable album covers for decades. Look him up, it was fascinating). My favourite track here is the oddly catchy Bones To The Wolves, with its morbid groove and glorious guitar melody lines, but the snarling belch of Death Is The Answer pushes it close.

Autopsy have been one of the more unique cases in death metal throughout their career; they have spawned countless imitators over the decades and yet no one really gets it right. Bands play death metal in the style of Autopsy, but no one plays it like Autopsy. Even after all these years and releases, they are still almost totally peerless in their gifts. I can never quite put my finger on exactly what it is, perhaps the seamless coalescence of death metal, death/doom and even gory grind elements, but Ashes, Organs, Blood And Crypts is another salvo in the ongoing war that Autopsy are waging against mediocre death metal, and these veterans are winning.

Label: Peaceville Records
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram

Scribed by: Sandy Williamson