Pyrexia

It's a mystery as to why New Yorkers Pyrexia haven't received the same type of recognition as acts like Suffocation, Immolation and Incantation, who led the '90s NYC death metal scene — perhaps it's their lack of a "tion" suffix. Nevertheless, Pyrexia have been soldiering on since their 1990 inception, and Feast of Iniquity marks the band's fourth full-length. Sole original member/guitarist Chris Basile returns with vocalist Eric Shute, along with bassist Shaun Kennedy and two drummers (yes, two): Doug Bohn and Suffocation's Dave Culross. Although it's been six years since their previous release, Age of the Wicked, and they've had some member changes, Pyrexia haven't altered their style a great deal. But that's the unspoken rule of NYDM — if it isn't broke, don't fix it — and that definitely applies here. Feast of Iniquity contains ten tracks full of groove and brutality, featuring inhuman, machine-gun drumming, guttural vocals and fiery riffs that incorporate some technicality and a good amount of slam. It's the standard formula and while some may call Pyrexia stagnant, Feast of Iniquity is one for the NYDM purists.