Review: Spesimin ‘Spesimin’
If you enjoy music that doesn’t let up from start to finish, then this self-titled discography from Philadelphia’s Spesimin is well worth a listen. Fifteen songs that are designed to melt your face, combining two previous EPs Born In The Crypt and Rotting In The Vine to go alongside their latest offering Skull Worship. So, strap yourself in, as this is one hell of a ride.

For those unfamiliar with the band, which I was, this is a gilt-edged opportunity to get bang up to date with their abrasive and macabre style of music. The trio consists of Alejandro on guitar and Ian on vocals/drums, who formed a connection over their love of old-school death and thrash metal. They were then joined by Ian’s former bandmate, bassist Jeff, who brought a different influence of Florida death metal and New York hardcore, and their metal punk hybrid was spawned.
They certainly don’t waste any time as the Born In The Crypt EP comes first with the tracks Spesimin and Mentally Mutilated going off at some pace and I really love that rapid bass sound they have. For a split second, I thought I read Violent Pacification, the DRI classic, but my eyes had deceived me and instead, it was Violent Sanctification, a raucous and hellish song which is a two-and-a-half-minute blast of controlled noise that is just impossible not to enjoy.
And the listening pleasure just continues, with more explosive songs like Sycophant Slaughter and Born In The Crypt. I get a bit of a black’ n’ roll feel to some of the songs, with Hellripper vibes coming into my consciousness, but with the trio writing songs that are ‘personal and political’ about such things as ‘religious mania, the insidious violence of capitalism and genocide’ they aren’t shying away from serious subject matter.
infectious rhythm and explosive guitar sound…
The next five songs are from 2022’s Rotting In The Vine EP and feels a bit darker and more sinister in its delivery. Severed Ties just sounds evil, and Nest Of Nightmares feels more like a riff-based death metal song, which I really like, as they combine speed and energy well. This middle sector is rounded off with two more songs, Violent World with its infectious rhythm and explosive guitar sound and the monstrous Mouth Of Hell. I felt that this EP has a more death metal feel to it, and I probably enjoyed it a bit more than the first EP, but only just.
With new music ahead on Skull Worship they go off with Stobborn Beast Flesh and this is setting my pulse racing a bit more. The drums are taking a pounding, and the guttural vocals are more prominent in leading a song that has plenty of groove to it. The title track Skull Worship has a doomier theme, which I love, as it offers something different, the speed metal then picks up the pace and grows into a proper headbanger.
Another positive to these songs are that they don’t linger for too long. Recovered Abduction Memory moves at one hell of a pace, with precision riffs and a more technical aspect growing into their sound without losing that fury. You’re greeted with a gritty bassline for Dyer’s Remorse and an authenticity that grows on you with each listen. It ends on a high note with Barren Night (Jersey Devil’s Flight) as they demonstrate once again that they can mix their sounds to create something demonic and appealing.
Label: Strange Mono Records
Band Links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Matthew Williams