8 August 2025 rocknews

If you thought death metal had gone soft, think again. LAST RETCH is back with Abject Cruelty, a blistering new album that drags old-school brutality through the filth and fury of modern decay. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario—a city steeped in steel, sweat, and social collapse—this five-piece has carved out a reputation for savage riffs, pit-splitting grooves, and lyrics that stare straight into the abyss. Their latest release, dropping September 26 via Time to Kill Records, is more than just a follow-up—it’s a full-throttle evolution. Abject Cruelty is leaner, meaner, and more focused than anything they’ve done before, channeling mental illness, addiction, and political abandonment into eight tracks of pure death metal devastation. If you’re looking for the sound of a society on fire, LAST RETCH just lit the match.

The Rise of LAST RETCH: From Demo Days to Underground Dominance

Formed in 2021 in the steel-scarred shadows of St. Catharines, LAST RETCH emerged with a demo that screamed no-frills and all fury. Their 2023 debut Sadism and Severed Heads (CDN Records) was a pit-splitting, riff-heavy assault that earned them underground acclaim and a growing legion of fans. But it was the Ergotism EP in 2024 that hinted at something more—a band not just content with brutality, but capable of nuance, melody, and thematic depth. Abject Cruelty is the culmination of that evolution, a record that’s leaner, meaner, and more focused than anything they’ve done before.

Inside Abject Cruelty: Track-by-Track Breakdown of LAST RETCH’s Latest Album

The album opens with its title track, a suffocating slab of tremolo-picked menace that sets the tone: this is death metal with purpose. “Beasley Meth Merchants” follows with a deceptively upbeat riff that masks a grim narrative of addiction and systemic failure, drawn from frontman Finlay Blakelock’s own view of Hamilton’s streets. “Dissecting the Leper” resurrects riffs from the band’s early days, now weaponized into a live-show staple with a breakdown that could level buildings. “In the Polder They Reek” balances stomp and melody, offering one of the album’s few solos—a rare moment of flourish in a record built on restraint and precision.

Death Metal with Purpose: Themes of Decay, Addiction, and Political Rage

Lyrically, Abject Cruelty is a scalpel slicing through the flesh of modern despair. “Resinous Drip of Decay” channels BOLT THROWER’s warlike swagger into a prophetic rage against environmental collapse. “Dissolved in Lye (Down to Rot)” is pure chaos, written in a 15-minute frenzy and recorded with drummer Spencer Robson’s spontaneous contributions. It’s a gory, spastic mess—and it works. “Oozing Pustules” drops the tuning and ups the horror, inspired by guitarist John Russell’s real-life encounter with bloodthirsty black flies in Colombia. The closer, “Gatling Gun”, is a militant, anti-fascist anthem drenched in BOLT THROWER worship and big, stomping energy. It’s a fitting end to a record that never lets up.

Production and Artwork: The Brutal Sound and Visuals Behind Abject Cruelty

Produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Davis Maxwell at Schoolhouse Studios, Abject Cruelty sounds as mean as it plays. The production is raw but clear, allowing every riff, blast beat, and guttural growl to hit with maximum impact. Brad Moore’s grotesque cover art adds a visual layer of horror that perfectly complements the album’s themes of bodily and societal breakdown.

Live Legacy: LAST RETCH’s Ferocious Stage Presence and Touring History

Live, LAST RETCH is a force. Having shared stages with GUTALAX, UNDEATH, GATES TO HELL, KRUELTY, and more, they’ve built a reputation for tight musicianship and ferocious energy. Their shows are sweat-soaked celebrations of death metal’s primal power, and Abject Cruelty is built to fuel that fire.

Top 5 LAST RETCH Songs to Stream Right Now

For those new to LAST RETCH or looking to dive deeper into their discography, here are five essential tracks that capture the band’s evolution and most-played ferocity:

“Cannibals of Tuma” – A mid-paced, groove-heavy standout from their debut, this track helped put LAST RETCH on the map.
“Dead As Fuck” – Cold, abrasive, and dissonant, this one’s a fan favorite for its menacing chug and raw energy.
“Neurosis” – Jarring riffage and pummeling drums make this a go-to for listeners craving chaos.
“Ordained in a Dismal Cesspool” – Featuring Daniel Bonofiglio, this track writhes with gloomy melody and perverse atmosphere.
“Your Last Retch” – Earthy, deep, and gouging, this closer from the debut album is pure no-frills death metal.

These tracks offer a brutal primer on LAST RETCH’s sound—from raw demo days to the sharpened fury of Abject Cruelty. Whether you’re new to the band or revisiting their catalogue, this playlist hits hard and leaves scars.

Final Verdict: Why Abject Cruelty Is a Must-Listen Death Metal Release in 2025

At RockNews, we think LAST RETCH’s Abject Cruelty is one of the most vital death metal releases of 2025. It’s a record born from real-world anguish, crafted with precision, and delivered with unrelenting force. LAST RETCH has taken the chaos of their surroundings and forged it into something powerful, memorable, and absolutely crushing. This is death metal with teeth—and it’s biting down hard.