EP Review: Deadwood – Rituals of a Dying Light (Innerstrength Records)

Canadian deathcore band Deadwood will release their new EP, Rituals of a Dying Light, on January 9th, 2026, via Innerstrength Records.

Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Canadian deathcore band Deadwood quickly made their mark with a dark, unrelenting sound. Influenced by Meshuggah, Whitechapel, and Pantera, they blend crushing riffs with haunting atmospheres inspired by dark histories, from the Salem witch trials to Jack the Ripper. Their catalogue includes EPs Nemesis (2022) and Inhuman (2023), along with singles “Straightblade,” “Djinn Pitts,” and “Heretic.” Known for commanding live shows, they’ve toured Japan with Humanity’s Last Breath and DVRK, hit U.S. stages in 2025, opened for Born of Osiris, and appeared at Inkcarceration Festival. Deadwood are currently touring Québec, Ontario, and New Brunswick ahead of their first European run in 2026.

Deadwood is Fred Element on guitars, Stephane Filion on lead guitars, Charles Etienne Lafrance on drums, and Derek Heynekemp on vocals, though vocals on Rituals of a Dying Light were handled by Martin Demontigny. The EP was recorded at EMNT Studio in January 2025, produced by Fred Element, who also handled mix and mastering.

Rituals of a Dying Light comes with five tracks, opening with Tales of Massacre. A sub-three-minute track that gets straight to the point, if that point is to bludgeon the listener senseless. Spiralling lead guitars attack the senses as the drums cascade with power and precision, while the vocals are harsh and relentless in their delivery. There’s a welcome mix of tones too, adding depth to the aggression. It’s fast, heavy, and unrelenting, yet dark in overall tone, a contrast that works perfectly alongside the squealing lead guitar lines.

Heretic sees Deadwood continue the attack, this time with a little more groove and a touch of technicality in the intro. It stays heavy and unforgiving, with a headbang-worthy beat running through it, while the squealing leads add an unsettling atmospheric edge. This is deathcore at its heaviest, at times brushing up against extreme metal and grind. The vocals hit particularly savage here, conjuring images of something demonic and unhinged, while clever production choices push and pull the vocals within the mix. It’s a strong track and a strong continuation of the EP, showcasing creativity and variety that listeners might not expect after the opening blitz.

Thirst for Blood is a reminder that Deadwood are here to inflict damage, returning to the sub-three-minute assault format. This is a superb track. Heavy without relying solely on speed, it’s packed with groove, massive riffs, and infectious drum patterns. The vocals once again shine, leaning hard into contrasting tones, while the higher-pitched lead guitars add a metallic edge that fuels a sense of fear and unease. It’s the kind of track that has you craving a mosh pit and would absolutely destroy in a live setting.

The penultimate track, Whispers of Death, expands further, delivering crushing heaviness and nightmarish atmosphere while showcasing Deadwood’s genre-pushing instincts. Thick bass lines and slowed-down aggression dominate early, then a sudden break into snarling spoken word over eerie effects sends a genuine chill down the spine. When the beat drops again, you can’t help but get caught up in the swagger and hostility, grimacing and headbanging along. Meaty riffs, impressive drumming, and meandering lead guitar lines all amplify the track’s sense of unease, and it works brilliantly.

Closing out the EP is Echoes of the Fallen, a fitting and memorable finale. Leaning even harder into atmosphere, it opens with a more measured approach, the instruments layering gradually before a striking guitar solo emerges. It’s a genuinely stunning moment, soaring over heavy riffs and crunchy drums without losing any impact. As an instrumental, it allows the mood to breathe, eventually drifting into slowed percussion, subtle effects, and sombre melodies, before whispered words creep in as the track fades away.

It brings an end to a clever EP that initially presents Deadwood as a band built purely to destroy, only to reveal more depth with each listen. There’s creativity and variety in abundance, intelligent song structures, and a clear understanding of how to build atmosphere within music that is undeniably heavy. The balance is spot on — brutally aggressive yet thoughtfully constructed. Rituals of a Dying Light feels like the sound of a band making serious moves.

Grab your copy of Rituals of a Dying Light from their Bandcamp page here.

Track Listing:

1. Tales of Massacre
2. Heretic
3. Thirst for Blood
4. Whispers of Death
5. Echoes of the Fallen

Deadwood Links

Website | LinkTree | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Innerstrength Records