Sadist – Something To Pierce
Release Date: 7th March 2025
Label: Agonia Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Death Metal
FFO: Death, Atheist, Pestilence, Nocturnus.
Review By: Ceta
Few bands can genuinely claim to have shaped the sound of progressive death metal as distinctly as Sadist. For over three decades, they’ve been creating music that’s as complex as it is unconventional, carving out a niche that feels entirely their own. Their latest offering, Something to Pierce, promises a lot, but can it deliver?
What stands out immediately is the band’s unwavering commitment to experimentation. Something to Pierce is a wild ride through some of the strangest sonic landscapes you’ll encounter in metal today. Yet, despite its avant-garde tendencies, it never loses touch with the raw, gritty essence of 90s death metal. This album feels more technical than some of their earlier work, leaning heavily into tech-death territory, but it doesn’t abandon the emotional depth that has always set the band apart.
The musicianship is, as expected, top-notch. The bass lines are intricate and hypnotic, weaving through the tracks with a life of their own, while the guitars are both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. The production deserves special mention—it’s polished enough to highlight the band’s technical prowess but retains a warmth that’s often missing in modern metal. It’s a delicate balance, and Sadist nails it. Of course, the album wouldn’t be complete without their signature quirks: those moments of surreal, almost dreamlike weirdness that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another dimension.
However, I must say that in the end, I’m left with mixed feelings. On one hand, I’m in awe of the band’s ability to keep innovating after so many years. On the other, I can’t help but wonder if their unpredictability has become a bit predictable (as contradicting as that might sound). Is this album a bold step forward, or simply a reaffirmation of their established style? Either way, these guys continue to be one of the most intriguing bands in progressive death metal, and this album is a testament to their enduring creativity. Whether it fully satisfies or leaves you wanting more, it’s impossible to ignore the sheer audacity of their vision.
(4 / 5)
