heavy-metal-darkness: Deceased | March Of The Cadavers - 40 Years Of Death Metal From The Grave

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Deceased | March Of The Cadavers - 40 Years Of Death Metal From The Grave | Hells Headbangers

Release Date: 29 August 2025
Format: Double CD
Country: USA

Formed in 1985 in Virginia, Deceased are one of the longest-running American death metal bands still active today. Fronted by drummer-turned-vocalist King Fowley, they were among the first bands to sign with Relapse Records in the early ’90s, releasing the influential “Luck Of The Corpse” in 1991. Over the decades, Deceased carved out a unique identity by blending old-school death metal with thrash and heavy metal influences, often with a storytelling approach steeped in horror, the supernatural, and dark fantasy. Known for their unwavering dedication to metal regardless of trends, the band has remained consistent for four decades, becoming cult legends in the underground scene.

“March Of The Cadavers – 40 Years Of Death Metal From The Grave” is more than a retrospective—it is a two-and-a-half-hour monument to Deceased’s legacy. Across 26 tracks, the collection retraces the band’s career from their earliest demo days to their most recent work, giving a panoramic view of what has kept them vital for four decades.

The first disc covers the ‘90s and early 2000s, an era when Deceased built their reputation as innovators of death metal with brains and bite. Songs like “Fading Survival,” “The 13 Frightened Souls,” and “Fearless Undead Machines” still feel vibrant, their mix of speed, atmosphere, and eerie storytelling intact. “Supernatural Addiction” material also finds space here, bridging the early ferocity with a more narrative-driven songwriting style.

The second disc takes listeners deeper into the 2000s and beyond, bringing forward epics such as “Skin Crawling Progress” and “Children Of The Morgue.” These tracks stretch into longer formats without losing the punch that defined the band’s beginnings. As a bonus for longtime fans, the inclusion of two brand-new songs—“Dusted” and “Cure For The Grieving Widow”—proves the band’s creativity is still active, while covers of Venom’s “Lady Lust” and Black Sabbath’s “Die Young” connect Deceased to the metal lineage they proudly come from. To complete the circle, early demo cuts “Sick Thrash” and a fresh re-recording of “March Of The Cadavers” bring the journey back to where it all began.

Listening from start to finish feels like leafing through a living scrapbook of American death metal. The sequencing balances short, aggressive bursts with sprawling tracks, ensuring that no single era dominates the story. King Fowley’s liner notes add historical weight, giving fans and newcomers alike a sense of being guided through forty years of dedication.

For longtime followers, this is an essential collection—an anthology that not only gathers the classics but also gifts new material. For newcomers, it functions as a perfect entry point into Deceased’s vast world. “March Of The Cadavers – 40 Years Of Death Metal From The Grave” succeeds as both a celebration and an invitation, carrying the band’s spirit forward into their fifth decade.

Score: 8.5