Album Review: Cordyceps – Hell Inside (Unique Leader Records)

Brutal blackened death metal band Cordyceps are back with their sophomore record, ‘Hell Inside’. Out on July 25th, 2025, via Unique Leader Records.

If you thought Cordyceps’ debut album was savage, well, you’re going to be left seeing stars once you hear this follow-up. An album that doesn’t just beat you around the head with its aggressive intent, but an album that targets the most painful parts of the body and pulverises. Featuring nine absolute beasts showcasing the most brutal of blackened death metal styles with added technicality.

Locked in and focused on leaving listeners dazed and delirious, Cordyceps set the heavy and speed bar high early on with the ferocity of Filth. An apt title as a wave of scum hits with force, and the slight shifts in tempo make for a vomit inducing ride. All parts of Cordyceps sound demonic here, but the drums might be the most hellish of all.

It is a track with a touch of dark atmosphere, and that is something that continues into Suffocating. A track that begins in disconcerting fashion, before transforming into a hellaciously heavy beast. Cordyceps continuing to deliver unrelenting brutality with not just this track, but the following I Am Hate (old school), Diseased Mind (brain melting), and Murder All (nonsensically sickening). Each is as devastating as the last, Cordyceps unleashing a constant cacophony of twisted riffs, thick percussion, and guttural vocal horror.

They’re so freaking good at it too, ensuring everyone who enjoys extreme metal will find themselves utterly addicted to the noise on offer here.

Does it get anymore absurdly heavy and wild then Flock of Sheep? Well, of course it does, but the point is that Cordyceps might have several levels of intensity, but they’re all on the heavier end of the spectrum, and this is another beastly effort. The vocals roaring ‘flock of sheep’ over and over again is quite something. As is the brief, but manic sounding guitar solo.

Then there is I Am the Plague, which comes with a dark virulency that might make you shift a little uncomfortably. Before Regret slams down hard and Obliterate wraps up the album in ferocious style. The latter part of the record proving to be as manic as everything that came before, even though there is a little bit of mental numbness setting in come the end. Happily, before that gets too much, it ends, leaving aches all over. It’s heavier, it’s faster, and it’s more disgusting then their debut. Job done!

Cordyceps – Hell Inside Track Listing:

1. Filth
2. Suffocating
3. I Am Hate
4. Diseased Mind
5. Murder All
6. Flock of Sheep
7. I Am the Plague
8. Regret
9. Obliterate

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