Album Review: Paganizer – As Mankind Rots (Xtreem Music)

The Scandinavian War machine rolls on. After twenty-seven years, thirteen full length studio albums and an ever-growing brood of EPs, split releases, live albums and compilations, Paganizer continue to devastate all in their path. The new album, ‘As Mankind Rots’ will be released on February 5th, 2026.

Unbending and unrelenting in all its Swedish death metal glory, this new Paganizer effort sticks exclusively to type, offering nothing more than a punchy blast of speed and aggression. Which might not be too appealing as far as originality goes, but what it lacks in that regard, it makes up for through sheer exciting and memorable savagery. This record goes f**king hard.

Of course it does. It has Rogga Johansson on guitars and vocals, and the man is one of death metal’s most iconic (and prolific) creators. Everything he touches is gold, and along with Matte Fiebig (drums), Dennis Blomberg (guitars), and Martin Klasén (bass), he delivers the kind of quality that all fans of extreme will enjoy.

The cacophony of speed and heaviness that greets the listener on the title track immediately sets the extreme bar, but it’s not what makes the track notable. What makes it notable is the riffs, because of course it’s the f**king riffs. There’s also a touch of groove, something that Paganizer build upon with head bangers like Devoured and Aftermath Bleeder. Tracks with weight and girth, liable to make you squeal with delight, even if Paganizer are cutting, drawing, and quartering the mind, body, and soul with what is on offer.

Along with more vomit inducing efforts like Only Maggots, A Testament to Madness and The Rotting End, it continues to be an album that punishes in all the best ways. When it comes to Swedish death metal, you can’t help but speak in hyperbole at times, but more often than not, these are descriptions that fit. This is a vile and garish record that many will find themselves head over heels in love with. It’s not Stockholm Syndrome, we all just happened to be pretty f**ked up to begin with.

It’s why relentless efforts like Put On Your Gasmask, crunching efforts like Hollow, hostile efforts like Afterworld, feral efforts like One Way to the Grave kick so much ass. Paganizer aren’t trying to change the world, only make it that little bit uglier and nastier.

I love this album, but I happen to love death metal, especially the Paganizer kind. It isn’t going to change anyone’s mind if they hate this sort of noise, but for all those who feel the way I do, we have something guaranteed to get the head banging hard.

Finishing off the album is a fresh recording of Vanans Makt, taken from their 2020 compilation album, ‘Compiled Ammunition’, which also happens to have guest vocals from Bulten of Swedish punk band Lastkaj 14. A really cool touch and fine way for Paganizer to sign off another kickass album.

Paganizer – As Mankind Rots Track Listing:

1. As Mankind Rots
2. Devoured
3. Aftermath Bleeder
4. Only Maggots
5. Put On Your Gasmask
6. Hollow
7. A Testament to Madness
8. Afterworld
9. The Rotting End
10. One Way to the Grave
11. Vanans Makt

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Xtreem Music