Contributor: Nathan Collins
Band: Last Retch
Album: Abject Cruelty
Release Date: 2025
Score: 8.5 / 10
Formed in 2021, Last Retch are a death metal outfit from Hamilton, Canada. Abject Cruelty is their third major release, following their 2023 debut album Sadism and Severed Heads and the Ergotism EP in 2024. In addition to these releases, Last Retch has dropped multiple demos and singles, proving themselves a relentless recording powerhouse.
Abject Cruelty (out through Time to Kill Records) opens into a grungy, filthy atmosphere that immediately drags the listener into modern death metal riffs. Unlike many recent genre releases, the album avoids bland or over-polished production, instead keeping the crunch and filth in their tone. Not quite slavish HM-2 worship, but dirty enough to satisfy fans of solid OSDM vibes.
The album runs just under 30 minutes—a decisive and effective choice. The concise length allows each song to ebb and flow without becoming self-indulgent. Across 8 tracks, Last Retch fills the limited time with intensity: guitars that vary between BOLT THROWER-style riffage and Carcass-inspired rhythms, low guttural barks from Finlay, and unrelenting drums. Samples are sprinkled throughout, adding texture without overshadowing the punishing music.
Everything comes together seamlessly, encapsulated beautifully by Brad Moore’s artwork, which perfectly reflects the aural vileness contained within. With every release, Last Retch continues to improve, and Abject Cruelty stands as their strongest testament to OSDM yet.
LAST RETCH Lineup:
- Finlay Blakelock – Vocals
- Derek Brzozowski – Guitar
- John Russell – Guitar
- Matt Fyke – Bass
- Spencer Robson – Drums
Favourite Track: Resinous Drip of Decay
Connect with LAST RETCH:
- Bandcamp: https://lastretch.bandcamp.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lastretchDM/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/last.retch
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lastretchDM
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1S16rc17BCzSTrwCZvIHhX?si=ufAUDDesRBCiTOay1Ovw3A
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/last-retch/1553402722
