Ελληνικά
Genre: Death Metal
Country: USA
Label: Metal Blade
Year: 2026
If the music of Six Feet Under were an image, it would look like a zombie forgotten in the basement, scratching and pounding on the door with the same hypnotic rhythm for years. Well then, in a post-apocalyptic twist, the Americans’ 15th album “Next to Die” is the moment when the zombie finally breaks down the door and comes upstairs, not to take revenge, but to enjoy some pizza, beer, and TV on the couch next to you!
The legendary Chris Barnes returns more sober than ever, alongside his old friend from Cannibal Corpse, Jack Owen, to deliver a solid dose of primitive death metal. After a string of mediocre albums, the Florida veterans regain momentum with “Next to Die”, armed with a chilling atmosphere that takes you back to your favorite horror movie, without really being able to scare you anymore.
It all starts with the wonderfully menacing cover art by Sandy Rezalmi: a black-and-white skeletal setting with red and yellow strokes that feels like a prequel to Cannibal Corpse’s early records. The opening notes of “Approach Your Grave” are heavy, dragging, and grim. Six Feet Under’s death metal has rhythm, it aims first at your feet, then your heart and finally devours your brain. Unlike previous albums, Barnes has managed to control his vocals, rediscovering the nightmarish expressiveness that made him a legend.
In “Unmistakable Smell of Death”, the tempo rises, the vocals crawl out of the sewer, and we smirk knowingly, because we realize the Barnes–Owen duo has more gems like this in store. We’re quickly proven right with the headbanging “Wrath and Terror Takes Command”, where the slow riffs drip with blood. The balance between traditional death metal and groove is the key to success, and nowhere is it more obvious than in the hilarious “Mister Blood and Guts”, which is impossible not to get hooked on. Humor is a rare thing in metal, so let’s appreciate it… especially when mixed with a bit of splatter!
Let’s open a small parenthesis to celebrate the ideal, dry production of “Next to Die”, which transports us to the death metal swamps of Florida in the early days of the genre. Everything sounds clear yet retains the necessary filth that roughens the compositions. Barnes sits high in the mix, and the bass playfully paints the band’s deadly stories. The drums cut like blades in a very traditional death metal thump-thump-thump fashion, thankfully far removed from the plastic, triggered sound that has become standard in recent years. Sitting on the throne of the album’s 12 tracks are Owen’s guitar themes, along with his engaging solos that add melody to the nightmare, as heard in “Destroyed Remains.”
The big challenge is keeping the listener’s interest alive throughout the 46-minute duration of “Next to Die.” In the first half, there’s more variety in the compositions, with slower tracks alternating perfectly with faster ones. However, the violent turn the album takes in the second half wins in sheer power and pure death metal enjoyment. The tempos increase, the sonic brutality intensifies, and Six Feet Under’s rotten teeth threaten to grab us by the throat. The double attack of “Naked and Dismembered” and “Grasped from Beyond” plunges us into a grotesque, blood-soaked universe with the lighthearted atmosphere of a “Tales from the Crypt” episode! We even hear clean/whispered vocals in the closing “III Wishes,” which stands out for its convincingly chilling vibe.
Does the album have flaws? Well, of course it does—everything you’d expect if you’re familiar with Six Feet Under! Simple compositions, familiar riffs with classic influences from early Death/Obituary, and a lack of innovation or experimentation. Is there filler? Definitely, with the generic “Skin Coffins” topping the list. In the chaotic era we live in, our musical options are endless, and our attention is split in dozens of directions. The obvious question is whether it’s worth engaging with Six Feet Under in 2026. For those of you who feel you don’t have enough time to invest in old-school releases that don’t reinvent genres with blends of space jazz and death metal, the answer is… feel free to skip it!
The rest of you who want to hear an excellent comeback from the legendary masters of the genre, kick back on your couch with a slice of pizza, hit play, and enjoy an old-school death metal album stamped with the blood-soaked signature of Barnes and Owen!
