After nearly a decade since their debut and a brief foray into experimental territory, Arizona’s Necrambulant has clawed their way back into the brutal death metal spotlight with Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance. This ferocious full-length marks a triumphant return to form for the band, blending their hallmark slamming brutality with refined production and a renewed creative focus. From start to finish, it’s a visceral experience that combines relentless heaviness, thematic horror, and the grotesque creativity that has always defined their sound.
In interviews, the band described the new album as a return to their roots, promising a “no bullshit, no filler” listening experience—and they’ve delivered in spades. Where 2022’s A Feast of Festering Flesh EP explored a raw, stripped-back sound, Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance swings the pendulum back to a more polished, punishing attack, invoking the spirit of their 2013 debut Infernal Infectious Necro-Ambulatory Pandemic.
This time around, Necrambulant doubles down on their self-described “inhuman slam grind” approach, fusing guttural brutality with horror-inspired narratives and relentless instrumentation. At just over 32 minutes, the album wastes no time, delivering a tight, crushing experience designed for maximum impact. Every riff, growl, and blast beat feels purposeful, and the album’s pacing ensures there’s no room to catch your breath.
Necrambulant has always thrived on macabre storytelling, and Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance is no exception. Each track is a grotesque vignette, exploring themes ranging from extraterrestrial horrors to occult zombies and dystopian chaos. The opening track, “Amalgamation of Gruesome Curdling Abomination,” sets the tone with a narrative inspired by The Blob and The Thing, while “Barbarian Brute Force Annihilation” and “Pestilential Ascendancy” draw from the grim Warhammer 40K universe to create sonic chaos.
Even within their unrelenting heaviness, Necrambulant incorporates moments of dark humor. “Chunked Pus Chowder” leans into grotesque absurdity, delivering a tongue-in-cheek nod to Peter Jackson’s early films like Dead Alive. Similarly, “Coffin Meat” spins a grim tale of a cannibal grave robber, reveling in its over-the-top depravity. These tracks inject a playful edge into an otherwise crushingly serious album, providing brief moments of levity amid the carnage.
On the more introspective side, “Ineffable Tormenting Possession” explores vocalist Andy “Bonemeat” York’s personal experience with a severe anxiety attack, transforming it into a fictional horror tale of demonic possession. This track stands out not only for its raw emotion but also for its suffocating atmosphere, which perfectly mirrors the lyrical themes of losing control to malevolent forces.
Musically, Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance showcases Necrambulant at their tightest and most focused. Ron Clark’s guitar work delivers a relentless barrage of riffs, ranging from groove-heavy slams to blistering tremolo sections that nod to old-school death metal. Bassist Trent Pittard provides a crushing low-end foundation, while drummer Matt Riena’s precision and speed drive the album’s ceaseless momentum.
York’s guttural vocals are a highlight throughout, striking a perfect balance between monstrous brutality and intelligibility. His vocal delivery captures the unrelenting horror of the album’s themes, particularly on tracks like “Sentenced to a Gluttonous Pit” and the title track, “Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance.”
The production, handled by Xander Bridge, strikes an ideal balance between clarity and rawness, ensuring every element hits with full force while maintaining the genre’s grimy aesthetic.
The title track, “Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance,” encapsulates the album’s strengths in a compact, two-minute assault. With its pummeling grooves and apocalyptic imagery of occult-driven zombies, it serves as a grotesque centerpiece. Meanwhile, “Barbarian Brute Force Annihilation” offers one of the album’s most intense moments, with a relentless tempo and lyrics inspired by Warhammer 40K’s bloodthirsty berserkers.
“Ineffable Tormenting Possession” stands out as a more atmospheric piece, blending suffocating instrumentation with a deeply personal narrative. On the lighter side, tracks like “Chunked Pus Chowder” and “Coffin Meat” provide grotesque fun, combining Necrambulant’s love of horror with their playful sense of humor.
Nev of Gruesome Graphx has outdone himself with the album artwork, which perfectly captures the themes of decay, horror, and carnage. The grotesque, gory landscape complements the album’s sonic brutality, offering a visceral visual counterpart to the music.
Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance is a triumphant return for Necrambulant, reaffirming their place as one of the most unapologetically brutal bands in the underground death metal scene. By blending relentless heaviness with horror-driven narratives and a touch of dark humor, they’ve crafted an album that feels both familiar and refreshingly refined.
This album is a must-listen for fans of Devourment, Kraanium, and Cephalotripsy—or anyone who craves the heaviest, most grotesque corners of brutal death metal. Necrambulant has risen from the grave to deliver a ferocious reminder of why they remain a force to be reckoned with.
Track Listing
1. Amalgamation of Gresome Curdling Ambonination – 3:09
2. Inhumane Creophagus Repulsion – 3:14
3. Catastrophic… / Epoch 0 – 3:14
4. Barbarian Brute Force Annihilation – 3:47
5. Sentenced to a Gluttonous Pit – 2:59
6. Pestilential Ascendancy – 2:53
7. Ineffable Tormenting Possession – 2:24
8. Chunked Pus Chowder – 3:04
9. Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance – 2:01
10. Coffin Meat – 2:50
11. Self-Biologic Carnivorous Cannibalism – 3:00
Album Length: 32:35
Album Credits:
All songs performed by: Necrambulant
All songs written by: Necrambulant
Produced by: Necrambulant
Mixed by: Xander Bridge
Mastered by: Xander Bridge
Album Art by: Nev (Gruesome Graphx)
Band Lineup:
Andy “Bonemeat” York – Vocals & Lyrics
Ron Clark – Guitars
Trent Pittard – Bass
Matt Riena – Drums
