Metalcatto
I was under the assumption that Sallow Moth was a Prog-Death band, so when I dove into Hydrophilous Brood, I paid no attention to that album title. That clearly says this thing eats children for breakfast and puppies for lunch. However, it wasn’t exactly easy to categorize. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to try today. I’ll say one thing: you can feel the ambition this band has even before you click play. But enough talking. Let’s start.
Well, this thing is freaking heavy. As in Defeated Sanity-kind of blasting. It’s punishing, godless, and unstoppable Tech Death that spends most of its time trying to make your head explode. But saying that would be unfair. Hydrophilous Brood also has glimpses of Prog and even Melodic Death Metal that show Sallow Moth can be a lot more than just mindless bashing. There are genuine moments of brilliance here that help the album feel balanced. It might be extremely heavy, but it doesn’t become dull. The secret is in the details—small shifts in tempo, unexpected harmonies, and sudden drops into groove that catch you off guard.
Sure, all the band members are showing off their skills here, but it’s the songwriting that takes the crown. It’s intricate and full of small details that will demand your attention to be truly appreciated. There’s also a high degree of unpredictability. The breakdowns almost feel random at times. I know that sounds like an insult, but actually, keeping us on our toes is a compliment. It feels dangerous, like the music might collapse into chaos at any moment but never quite does. That tension is hard to achieve, and Sallow Moth nails it.
Great, but how about the less cool parts? Well, Hydrophilous Brood does commit too heavily to the brutal side of Metal. The band shows so many creative weapons, but I feel things would be more interesting if there was more sound exploration, not just mind-bending, disgusting riffs. That feeds the gut, but how about the mind? As usual, I just want more weird stuff. And though this is already pretty strange, it could always take it to another level. The talent is clearly there. A little more risk-taking in the atmospheric or avant-garde department would elevate this from great to unforgettable.
If all those Brutal Death bands had more of a Sadist or later Death touch, they’d probably sound like Sallow Moth—a band I knew nothing about but that has shown me it’s ready to take over from the OGs of the niche. If only anyone here cared about having pronounceable album titles. Sigh.
Label: Willowtip Records
Release date: July 24th, 2026
Website: https://sallowmoth.bandcamp.com/album/hydrophilous-brood-2
Country: USA
Score: 3.5/5.0
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