heavy-metal-darkness: Auditory Anguish | AFA

Friday, November 28, 2025

Auditory Anguish | AFA | Creator-Destructor Records

Release Date: November 14th, 2025

Format: Digital, 12” Vinyl

Genre: Death Metal, Hardcore, Metalcore

Country: USA

Hailing from Southern California, Auditory Anguish has steadily built a name for themselves in the underground hardcore and death metal scene. With previous releases like “Tragedies Of Western Existence” and “Crime Rituals”, the band has toured extensively across the West Coast, blending hardcore energy with death metal heaviness. Their latest EP, “AFA”, marks their first release under Creator-Destructor Records, bringing their raw, intense sound to a wider audience.

Auditory Anguish’s “AFA” is a concentrated burst of aggressive music, moving quickly from one track to the next without any filler. The EP leans on short, impactful songs, delivering unrelenting energy that shifts between crushing breakdowns, dark grooves, and intense vocal assaults. There’s a clear sense of urgency throughout, with each track striking hard and leaving little space for respite. Guest appearances, like those from Tzompantli on “Tierra Santa”, add subtle layers without distracting from the main force of the band.

The production, handled by Taylor Young and Nick Townsend, keeps the sound dense yet controlled. Vocals sit prominently over the guitars and drums, giving the songs a raw edge that fits the aggressive style. Despite the brevity of each track, “AFA” manages to present a complete snapshot of the band’s sound, mixing metallic hardcore rhythms with death metal heaviness in a way that’s straightforward and engaging. For fans of bands like Xibalba, Deftones, Trash Talk, the EP delivers on expectation with tracks that hit hard and maintain momentum. It doesn’t overstay its welcome; instead, it condenses everything the band does into a short, sharp collection of songs.

Overall, “AFA” is like a strong, direct statement from Auditory Anguish, combining intensity, aggression, and precise execution in a compact format. It’s a solid addition to their discography, offering a focused experience for listeners who appreciate hardcore-infused death metal.

Score: 6.5