Album Review
By Ashley Parrish
This Friday, October 4th, brings the release of In the Jaws of Bereavement by Maul, a modern death metal band from Fargo, North Dakota. Since forming in 2017, they’ve spent the past seven years relentlessly touring and refining their craft. After their crushing 2022 debut, Seraphic Punishment, I was eager to see what kind of brutal energy they’d deliver this time around.
From the opening note, the title track grabs hold, immediately setting a high bar for the rest of the album. It’s a potent mix of infectious grooves, fast riffs, guttural growls, and a rhythm section that drives the intensity forward. This is the kind of music that demands to be heard live, where the crushing weight of the sound and the crowd’s energy can take it to another level. And there’s good news—they’re about to go on tour.
Album artwork by Wyrmwalk
As the album unfolds, each track builds on the last with intricate layers of sound, creating a cohesive, unrelenting flow. Despite having three guitarists—Anthony Lamb, Alex Nikolas, and Josh Sanborn—the guitar work remains sharp and tightly executed. Their blend of fast-paced riffs, melodic leads, and crushing breakdowns never feels overcrowded, allowing Mike Griggs' bass to cut through and provide a solid backbone. The songs are well-composed, combining catchy hooks with technical precision. While the tone and intensity remain consistent throughout, standout moments like "An Alluring Deceit" bring in haunting, atmospheric textures that showcase Maul’s ability to balance dissonance with raw emotion.
Produced by Adam Tucker at Signaturetone Recordings in Minneapolis, the album sounds polished and super clear. The rhythm section, powered by Anderson’s relentless blast beats and Griggs' punchy bass tone, keeps the energy high, while Garrett Alvarado’s deep, growling vocals create a powerful contrast against the soaring guitar leads. The inclusion of guest appearances by Hugh Danger (synth and samples) and Vincent Bennett from The Acacia Strain, who contributes additional vocals, adds an extra layer of depth to the sound.
Thematically, In the Jaws of Bereavement explores grief and anger, and Maul’s ability to translate these emotions into their music is evident in every track. The band’s grooves and catchy elements help keep the listener engaged, while the relentless intensity ensures the album stays true to the essence of modern death metal.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Maul, this album captures their raw energy, making it clear they’d be a force to experience live. Be sure to check out In the Jaws of Bereavement—and don’t miss your chance to see them on tour!
Photos by Tylar Frame
Upcoming MAUL Tour Dates:
10/10/2024 Lindbergs Tavern – Springfield, MO
10/11/2024 VFW Backroom – Oklahoma City, OK
10/12/2024 Texas Death Fest @ Tulips – Fort Worth, TX
10/13/2024 EJ's – Little Rock, AR
10/14/2024 The Shed – Florence, AL
10/16/2024 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA *
10/17/2024 New Brookland Tavern – West Columbia, SC *
10/18/2024 Fear Frenzy 2024 @ Orpheum – Tampa, FL *
10/19/2024 Fear Frenzy 2024 @ Conduit – Winter Park, FL *
10/21/2024 Riffhouse – Chesapeake, VA *
10/22/2024 Meadows – Brooklyn, NY *
10/23/2024 Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA *
10/24/2024 The Sanctuary – Detroit, MI *
10/25/2024 Hoosier Dome – Indianapolis, IN *
10/26/2024 Heavy Halloween Fest @ WC Social Club – West Chicago, IL *
10/27/2024 Raccoon Motel – Davenport, IA *
10/28/2024 Rino – Kansas City, MO *
10/30/2024 HQ – Denver, CO *
10/31/2024 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT *
11/02/2024 Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA *
11/03/2024 Eagle Aerie Hall – Henderson, NV *
11/04/2024 Soda Bar – San Diego, CA *
11/05/2024 The Underground – Mesa, AZ *
11/06/2024 Juggernaut – Gallup, NM
11/07/2024 Ren's Den – Albuquerque, NM
11/08/2024 Vulture – Colorado Springs, CO
11/09/2024 The Breakroom – Omaha, NE