Spirit World: Deathwestern

SpiritWorld – DEATHWESTERN (2022) Review

If Morricone-style Spaghetti Westerns and relentless, skull-crushing metal had a lovechild, it would be SpiritWorld’s DEATHWESTERN. Blazing in like a demonic gunslinger from hell, this album fuses thrash, death metal, hardcore, and outlaw western aesthetics into a vicious, high-octane sonic assault that feels like getting trampled by a stampede of undead horses.

A Wild West of Riffs and Mayhem

From the opening seconds of the title track “DEATHWESTERN”, SpiritWorld makes it painfully clear—this is not your typical metal record. The mix of galloping riffs, razor-sharp breakdowns, and guttural vocals creates an unrelenting atmosphere of chaos and cinematic destruction.

Tracks like “Relic of Damnation” and “Ulcer” bring slamming, chugging riffs straight out of a thrash metal massacre, while “Committee of Buzzards” leans into a slower, doom-laden groove, showing the band’s ability to balance aggression with atmosphere. SpiritWorld doesn’t just play fast and brutal—they create a vivid, blood-soaked western horror world, where every song feels like it belongs in a twisted, undead version of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

One of the standout tracks, “Moonlit Torture”, brings a guest appearance from Dwid Hellion of Integrity, adding an extra layer of sinister aggression. “Crucified Heathen Scum” and “Purified in Violence” ensure there’s no break in the brutality, with rapid-fire drums and chainsaw riffs slicing through the mix like bullets in a shootout.

The Cinematic and The Brutal, Perfectly Blended

What makes DEATHWESTERN stand out is its commitment to world-building. This isn’t just another thrash/death/hardcore crossover record—it’s an experience, an audio horror film set in a cursed desert wasteland, where the undead rise, and the only rule is kill or be killed. SpiritWorld expertly weaves in eerie western interludes, dusty acoustic moments, and Morricone-style tension, making this album feel like a brutal outlaw revenge tale come to life.

The production is crisp and punishing, making every breakdown, blast beat, and bone-snapping riff hit like a sledgehammer to the skull. It’s a modern metal album that reveres the past while forging something uniquely feral and cinematic.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

DEATHWESTERN is an uncompromising, ferocious, and wildly unique record that blends thrash, death, hardcore, and western horror vibes into something truly special. SpiritWorld doesn’t just make music—they create a savage, apocalyptic vision of the old west, where every riff is a gunshot and every breakdown is a bullet to the gut.

If you love furious metal with a cinematic twist, saddle up, because DEATHWESTERN is one hell of a ride. 🤠🔥💀

BY RUE MORGUE RECORDS