Album/EP

Creeping Death - Boundless Domain (Album Review)

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Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Jun 18, 2023

7 min read

Creeping Death - Boundless DomainReleased: June 16th, 2023

Lineup:

Reese Alavi // VocalsTrey Pemberton // GuitarsA.J. Ross III // GuitarsRico Mejia // BassLincoln Mullins // Drums

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Yet another example of the amazing metal scene bursting from the Texan underground, Denton destroyers Creeping Death are back to fly the flag of the Lone Star State with their sophomore full-length Boundless Domain. Boasting a sound that encompasses classic death metal, metallic hardcore and a helping of thrash, Creeping Death are a group with respect for the greats before them, whilst also keeping their finger firmly on the pulse of the heavy underground. Their awesome 2021 EP The Edge of Existence - which contained tracks both new and old - was something of an appetiser of things to come for five piece. .

Grabbing the big potential shown on their previous releases, Creeping Death have taken things to the next level on this new record. The opening title cut kicks off with creeping guitars and doom-like tempo before putting the pedal down, while the chugging 'Intestinal Wrap' is an obvious single, with it’s violence cranked up even further with a guest spot from the legendary George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher. Boundless Domain has almost everything for the heavy music buff - grooving mosh parts for the hardcore kids, thrashing passages for the speed freaks and enough muscular riffing to level a city block. The addition of the legendary Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage in the producer's chair is no small footnote. Having worked with the likes of Parkway Drive, As I Lay Dying and All That Remains, Adam D has plenty of top-tier metal experience behind him. Fortunately, he’s not messed around with Creeping Death’s sound, rather making Boundless Domain as huge sounding as possible, as well as capturing the band’s excellent live energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlaJiUa7czE&pp=ygUOY3JlZXBpbmcgZGVhdGg%3D

Lincoln Mullins has plenty creative flair with his drum work to keep things fresh - such as the fill-driven beat during the middle of 'Remnants of the Old Gods', while Reese Alavi punctuates his full-bodied growls with a couple of Riley Gale-esque “wow!”s when Mullins’ kicks up the pace. The straight to the point 'Cursed' leaves zero meat on the bones, and highlights Trey Pemberton’s screaming guitars - seriously there’s enough whammy-bar abuse on this album to give Kerry King nightmares - while the awesome mid-record highlight 'Creators Turned into Prey' has a subtle nod to their older track 'Spectre of War'. Closer 'The Common Breed' is perhaps the LP MVP - and one of Creeping Death’s best tunes to date. It’s almost a shame it’s tucked away at the end, but the hardcore-meets-Bolt Thrower styled rager sends the listener home with trem-picked guitars and some of the most headbang-able grooves of the lot. It's a chest-beating way to close off an energy packed collection of modern metal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z72yJyvu4FY&pp=ygUOY3JlZXBpbmcgZGVhdGg%3D

More old-school sounding and songwriting orientated than their debut Wretched Illusions, Creeping Death’s style and prowess could easily see them share stages and festival bills with a huge variety of extreme music acts. There are no half-measures on Boundless Domain; the young Texan’s have delivered 36 minutes of pure power, with fist-pumping, pit-inducing moments coating the album - it’s awesome fun, and will certainly go down a treat live. There’s admittedly not a tonne of variety on the LP, but it never drags or overstays it’s welcome, with the songs strong enough to pull in the listener right back in again after the last note rings out. Boundless Domain has proven that not only are Creeping Death one of hottest properties coming out the Texan heavy music scene, but a true world-class metal powerhouse in waiting.