Reflections Of Horror by Exorcised: A Death Metal Journey That Sticks With You
Exorcised’s Reflections Of Horror isn’t your run-of-the-mill death metal album. Released in 2012 under Serbia’s Odmetnik label, this record dives headfirst into the grim and guttural world of horror-inspired rock. While it might not reinvent the wheel, it carves out its own niche with raw energy, punishing riffs, and an atmosphere thick enough to choke on.
Let’s get one thing straight—this ain’t background music for chilling with friends. Tracks like “Pestilent Curse” and “Unholy Awakening” hit hard, leaving a mark that lingers long after the final note fades. Take “Pestilent Curse,” for instance. The opening riff grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. It’s relentless, almost mechanical in its delivery, but there’s a twisted beauty in how chaotic it feels. The vocals are as brutal as they come, growling through lyrics that paint vivid images of decay and despair. If you’re looking for something catchy, look elsewhere; if you want pure aggression wrapped in technical precision, this track delivers.
Then there’s “Unholy Awakening.” This one stands out because it balances sheer brutality with moments of eerie melody. Around the halfway point, the pace slows just enough to let the tension build before exploding back into full-on mayhem. It’s these little shifts that make the song memorable—it’s not just about smashing drums or shredding guitars (though those elements are definitely present). There’s thought behind the chaos, even if it’s buried under layers of distortion and screams.
The other tracks, “Oppressed By Unreal” and the title track “Reflections Of Horror,” hold their own too. They follow the same formula of heavy instrumentation and dark themes, though they don’t quite stick in my mind as much as the two mentioned above. Still, they contribute to the overall vibe of the album—a suffocating sense of dread mixed with adrenaline-pumping intensity.
What strikes me most about Reflections Of Horror is how unapologetically Serbian it feels. No, I don’t mean folk influences or anything like that. I’m talking about the DIY grittiness that seems to permeate underground scenes worldwide. These guys didn’t have million-dollar studios or fancy producers—they had passion, talent, and a desire to create something visceral. And honestly? That makes the album feel more authentic than half the polished releases flooding streaming platforms today.
In the end, Reflections Of Horror won’t appeal to everyone. But if you’re into death metal that punches you in the face while whispering nightmares into your ear, give it a shot. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming along to “Pestilent Curse” during your morning commute—it’s kinda unsettling when that happens.
Oh, and here’s a random thought: Listening to this album feels like being trapped in a haunted house where every door slams shut behind you. Except instead of ghosts, it’s riffs chasing you down the hallway. Weird analogy? Maybe. Accurate? Absolutely.
