apanthropy

Internal Bleeding
Settle All Scores
Maggot Stomp
To Be Released: 10/17/25

Rating: 85/100

“A lengthy gap between records and several new faces might have been what the band needed, with the quality of their newest record ranking amongst the best of the year and one of the strongest in their discography. A compact killer listen that sits at exactly a half hour in length and starts heavy and stays heavy for the entire duration. If you’re into brutal death metal, you already know about Internal Bleeding, but for new listeners, this is a great point of approach and one of the more sonically accessible albums the band has ever produced.“

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1 – Intangible Pact
2 – Settle All Scores
3 – Prophet of Deceit
4 – Enforced Compliance
5 – Crown of Insignificance
6 – Empire of Terror
7 – Glorify the Oppressor
8 – Deliberate Desecration
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New York is a breeding ground of groundbreaking extreme metal bands, particularly that of the death metal variety. Going as far back as the late 1980’s demo scene, the state played host to certain staple groups that went on to become multi-decade legacy bands. Internal Bleeding hit the scene in 1991 with their self-titled demo coming a year later in 1992, a band that has been around since the early days of American death metal. Pioneering a sub-genre is no small feat and Internal Bleeding are, perhaps, best known as being recognized as the figureheads of slamming death metal, a rhythm-centric approach to conventional death metal composition that features a great deal of deliberate breakdowns, palm-muted chord patterns, and complex tempo executions.

Having produced six full-length albums since their inception, Internal Bleeding has been somewhat quiet for the last several years following the release of 2018’s Corrupting Influence. That stillness is about to be shattered on October 17th with the release of Settle All Scores, a new eight track effort that clocks in at half an hour of new music, to be issued through Maggot Stomp. Settle All Scores is a voracious attack of slamming brutal death that is direct, confrontational, and violent.

The New York sonic institution is led by founding guitarist Chris Pervelis, flanked by Chris McCarthy, Kyle Eddy, Ryan Giordano, and Steve Worley. Armed with a new bass player and new vocalist, the band cut through exhibitions of percussive force like a band of seasoned musicians who have played together all their lives. There is renewed energy and solid, dynamic chemistry between the members. The interactions between the two guitarists and their interaction with the drums is a master class in percussion-forward composing, laden with complex and intricate fills and bass drum patterns complimenting staccato-intensive palm-muted chromatic riff work.

Opening with ‘Intangible Pact,’ the hardcore-tinged death metal assault begins in earnest immediately. Snappy snare strikes, machine-gun double bass, and an endless supply of fills merge with ripping riffs and twanging bass lines. Vocalist Steve Worley sounds right at home and feels like a natural fit to the dynamics of the band, despite this being his first album with the group. Crushing extended breakdown segments give bands such as Suffocation and Dying Fetus a run for their money.

The title track follows next and follows in line with the methodology established by ‘Intangible Pact,’ staccato start/stop riffing, galloping bass drum work, and several breakneck changes to the tempo and direction of the song. About a minute into the song, there is an abrupt shift in tempo that really highlights some of the beautiful detail within the tonality, especially the snap of the snare drum and the distorted roiled rumblings of the bass guitar.

‘Enforced Compliance’ is a streetwise slam track that continues the rhythmic fury established on the early portions of the album, ending on an extended breakdown section that is led by an almost Sabbathian-sounding riff. This section is a giant hook that would translate great in the live environment, genuinely one of the cooler moments on Settle All Scores.

Tracks such as ‘Crown of Insignificance’ and ‘Empire of Terror’ are masterful executions of brutal death metal, packed to the brim with grinding palm-muted riff work, start/stop breakneck phrases, and distinctly New York attitude.

Ending the record is ‘Deliberate Desecration,’ which features a pair of guest performances courtesy of some of the band’s past vocalists. It’s a significant change of pace with a cleaner intro and a more tempered middle section that leans heavily into melodic territory.

Production on Settle All Scores is modern and hot. Great presence on the drums, especially snare tone and low-end, guitars rip with bass heavy staccato pulses, and the bass guitar is deep and saturating. Vocals are frontal and clean, guttural but nothing over the top.

2025 has been a stunning year for death metal and Internal Bleeding has now entered the conversation. Their approach has been replicated many times over but no one succeeds at this style quite like the band does here on Settle All Scores. A lengthy gap between records and several new faces might have been what the band needed, with the quality of their newest record ranking amongst the best of the year and one of the strongest in their discography. A compact killer listen that sits at exactly a half hour in length and starts heavy and stays heavy for the entire duration. If you’re into brutal death metal, you already know about Internal Bleeding, but for new listeners, this is a great point of approach and one of the more sonically accessible albums the band has ever produced. Streetwise, personal, and angry, the lyrics and the attitude combined with the vicious approach to songwriting create a lethal concoction of no-bullshit brutal death metal produced by a veteran name. This is a band that is showing no signs of slowing down and no signs of watering down their legacy. A great effort Internal Bleeding and a sure pleaser for any fans of slamming brutal death.

Label: Maggot Stomp
Band: Internal Bleeding

AJK